The Iowa Department of Transportation is conducting what it calls “an organizational overhaul” that’ll include cutting 400 positions and closing several offices. D-O-T spokesperson Dena Gray-Fisher says several things are driving the changes; revenue is down; many operations are becoming automated, requiring fewer workers; and changing customer needs require quicker access to information.Gray-Fisher says they’ll reduce their staff by layoffs and not filling open positions. She says some people will be reassigned to new positions. The D-O-T plans to close several maintenance garages and consolidate them into larger garages.Gray-Fisher says they’re also closing seven resident construction Offices and five resident maintenance offices.Gray-Fisher says the D-O-T will realize a one-time cash infusion from the sale of those facilities and equipment. She says the closing and consolidation of offices will make it easier for the D-O-T to provide services to Iowans. Gray-Fisher says they’ll also ask for another change that would increase the efficiency of the department.They’ll ask the legislature to move from a four-year to a five-year driver’s license. Editors note: The D-O-T will close maintenance garages in the cities of Clarinda, Clinton, Colfax, Colo, Columbus Junction, Corydon, Cresco, Estherville, Forest City, Guthrie Center, Hamlin, Hampton, Harlan, Humboldt, Indianola, Keosauqua, Mapleton, Moville, Oelwein, Paullina, Parkersburg, Sibley, Stanwood, Traer, Webster City, Winterset and Wyoming. Resident maintenance offices will close in Forest City, Grinnell, Iowa City, Rock Rapids and Washington.Resident construction offices will close in Ames, Cedar Rapids, Decorah, Denison, Ottumwa, Red Oak and Waterloo.
