Map of state construction projects.

Map of state construction projects.

The state Transportation Commission moved up the start time for some construction projects at their meeting in Mason City today. DOT planning and program director, Stuart Anderson, explained the projects involved to the commission. He says they include 6 interstate construction projects, 16 non-interstate pavement projects, and 5 non-interstate bridge modernization projects that are being moved into this fiscal year.

Anderson says several factors allowed them to move the projects up in the 5-year plan. Anderson says the money is available for the projects due to favorable bid lettings that saw current projects that came in under budget, along with department budget savings, and more federal funding than expected.

The interstate construction projects are in Decatur, Johnson, Linn, Polk, Poweshiek and Jasper counties. The bridge modernization projects are in Clay, Humboldt, Lucas and Woodbury Counties. The projects were chosen because they can be designed and ready for construction in 2014.

See a complete list of the projects here: www.iowadot.gov/program_management/five_year.html

(Reporting by Bob Fisher, KRIB, Mason City)