As early as the 1980s, traffic levels on I-80 reached the road's design capacity. As a result, the highway required significant repairs for which Iowa's interstate maintenance program lacked funding. A section from CR F90 between Earlham and the western junction with I-35 needed $500,000 ($ in ) in annual repairs. Funds for needed interstate repair became available in 1985 when President Ronald Reagan signed a bill that freed up $7 billion ($ in ) from the Highway Trust Fund, the national mechanism for funding repairs to the Interstate Highway System. Under the law, Iowa was slated to receive $200 million per year ($ in ) for its Interstates.