U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg isin eastern Iowa today, visiting two projects that have received federal grants from the infrastructure bill President Biden signed in 2021. The Eastern Iowa Airport got a $20 million grant. "The funding in this case is going to allow the team to … [Read more...]
DOT’s Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division to merge into State Patrol
The nearly 100 officers in the Iowa DOT's Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division will soon become part of the Iowa Highway Patrol. The switch takes effect July 1. Governor Kim Reynolds said it makes sense to have units with similar functions "under the same roof" at the Iowa Department of Public … [Read more...]
Draft of 5-year transportation plan now available for comment
The Iowa Transportation Commission has approved a draft for the updated five-year construction and improvement plan. The DOT's Stuart Anderson says they had to deal with inflation and increases that made the dollars not stretch as far as they updated the plan. "So with those higher construction … [Read more...]
Senate OKs Iowa DOT budget, including money for new maintenance garage
The Iowa Senate has unanimously approved a budget for the Iowa Department of Transportation that includes money for a new maintenance garage in eastern Iowa. Republican Senator Carrie Koelker of Dyersville says lawmakers are setting aside nearly $22 million for the project. "This is to demolish … [Read more...]
Iowa DOT permits would be required for traffic cameras in Iowa cities
A bill has emerged in the state legislature that would regulate traffic enforcement cameras that catch vehicles speeding and running red lights. For the past 12 years, attempts to ban the cameras have failed, but Republican Senator Mike Klimesh of Spillville says it appears the House may accept a … [Read more...]
Some state road construction projects likely to be delayed by higher costs
The Iowa Transportation Commission is considering delaying some projects in its five-year construction plan as inflation and other factors impact the costs of building and maintaining state roadways. The DOT's Stuart Anderson says they've been analyzing a lot of data as they prepare the plan for … [Read more...]
Group of Iowa based civil engineers upgrades rating for Iowa roads
The latest report card from the American Society of Civil Engineers gives Iowa infrastructure an overall passing grade of C. The grade for the state's roads improved to a B-. That's up from a C+ in the group's previous report card. Christy VanBuskirk, an engineer with the Iowa DOT, said the gas … [Read more...]
The forecast presents a wide mix of potential weather for the DOT
We're a dozen days into spring, but winter weather is possible later today as a powerful system approaches, threatening to bring severe thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes -- and yes, snow. Craig Bargfrede, the winter operations administrator for the Iowa Department of Transportation, says his crews … [Read more...]
Iowa Senate votes to ban motorists from handling smart phones while driving
The Iowa Senate has voted to make it illegal for all drivers to use a hand-held smart phone while a vehicle is in motion. Drivers under the age of 18 years have long been prohibited from using electronic devices, unless the vehicle is off the roadway and stopped, but efforts to extend that policy … [Read more...]
DOT, AAA team up to push for better driving habits
The Iowa Department of Transportation and AAA Iowa are working together to highlight the need for drivers to improve their habits to cut traffic fatalities. The DOT's Andrea Henry says part of the effort is their "What Drives You?" campaign. "What drives them to get home safely every night. So … [Read more...]