The Iowa Transportation Commission has approved funds for roadway improvements to help businesses in Sioux Center and Pella. DOT spokesman Craig Markley says Sioux Center will receive around $390,000 to assist the New Tech company. "They're a remanufacturing and sales company. So they take heavy … [Read more...]
Bill would ditch Iowa’s requirement for front bumper license plates
Two Republican senators are working on a bill that would end the requirement that Iowa license plates be attached to the front as well as the rear of passenger vehicles. The owners of sports cars and vehicles with large front grills complain that license plates ruin the appearance of the … [Read more...]
Pandemic hit on road repair funds not as bad as first feared
It looks like the state, counties, and cities are going to end up in good shape with funding to repair roads after things didn't look so good at the start of the pandemic. The DOT's Stuart Anderson says traffic dropped by more than 40 percent in April -- which meant a drop in fuel taxes paid into … [Read more...]
Roadways in Eastern Iowa still not fully cleared of snow and ice
State road crews are continuing to work on the highways to scrape off the snow and ice following Thursday's blizzard. DOT Winter Operations Administrator, Craig Bargfrede, says conditions are better in some areas today. "We've really made some significant progress today in getting roads back to … [Read more...]
I-80 closed near Newton by chain reaction crashes
Interstate 80 between Newton and Colfax was closed early this afternoon after a series of chain-reaction crashes involving up to 40 vehicles. The road was a sheet of ice, according to a spokesman for the Iowa State Patrol. Two state troopers were on the scene, helping some of the first motorists … [Read more...]
Governor asks lawmakers to hike Iowa DOT’s winter operations budget
The governor is asking legislators to boost the DOT's budget for road salt by $1.3 million, for next winter. "The last three years our salt usage has increased and that's primarily due to the severity of the winters," Iowa Department of Transportation finance director Lee Wilkinson said during a … [Read more...]
New bid for ban on handling smart phones while driving
It would be illegal to use a hand-held smart phone while driving under a bill that's being proposed again in the Iowa House. Susan Cameron Daemon is a lobbyist with the Iowa Sheriffs and Deputies Association -- a group that's been supporting a "hands-free" law for years. "Iowa is one of the … [Read more...]
Many roads still covered in snow and ice
Travel is still not recommended on many roads across the southern two-thirds of Iowa following the latest winter blast. Some areas of central and southwest Iowa report very heavy snow, according to meteorologist Chad Hahn, at the National Weather Service. "Generally speaking, across the state, … [Read more...]
DOT updates rules for disclosing mileage when cars are sold
The Iowa Department of Transportation has updated the rules for odometer disclosure statements when you sell a car or truck to align with federal changes that started with the new year. DOT spokesman, Daniel Hey says the rule sets out who has to provide the statement. "The best rule of thumb is … [Read more...]
DOT plow crews struggling against blizzard conditions
Hundreds of snowplows are fanned out across the state, doing their best to clear the drifts and keep the roads passable, but some of them are losing the fight in this blizzard. Craig Bargfrede, winter operations administrator for the Iowa Department of Transportation, says the heavy snow and high … [Read more...]