Several state agencies are getting together to try and put the brakes on some of the drivers in the state who have been taking advantage of reduced traffic on the roadways to push the speed limit. State Patrol spokesman Sergeant Alex Dinkla says, "The big norm seems to be now since the COVID hit … [Read more...]
Pheasant hatch expected to be good this year
A dry April and May have set things up for a big boost to the pheasant population this year. DNR wildlife research biologist, Todd Bogenschutz, says everything is falling into place for a good hatch, including a winter with below-normal snowfall to start out. "Hen survival should have been a … [Read more...]
Iowa Transportation Commission approves updated five-year program
The Iowa Transportation Commission has approved the latest version of the five-year road improvement plan. The pandemic has created some uncertainty about the state funding sources -- but DOT planner Stuart Anderson says the commission adjusted. "The forecasts that commission used were all done … [Read more...]
Travel and car sales increasing as pandemic restrictions lift
Traffic and the sale of new cars are both picking back up as the state emerges from the shut down brought on by the coronavirus. Iowa Department of Transportation director of planning, Stuart Anderson, told the Transportation Commission during a workshop Monday traffic numbers bottomed out the … [Read more...]
New DOT plan would only close 8 interstate rest stops
The Iowa Department of Transportation plans to release an updated proposal by the end of this month that reduces the number of full-service interstate rest areas targeted for closing from 11 to 8. The DOT's Brad Hofer says they used public input and did some more study of the rest areas and truck … [Read more...]
Traffic picking up a little more on Iowa roadways
An Iowa Department of Transportation planner says the drop in traffic on the state's roadways brought on by the coronavirus is starting to ease up. The DOT's Stuart Anderson says peak drop in travel in the state of Iowa came last week. "When traffic was down 44% across the state," Anderson says. … [Read more...]
Final touches going on new I-74 Mississippi River bridge
Earlier this week, a huge crane hoisted the final piece of the new, Interstate-74 bridge arch into place. It's the Iowa-bound side of the bridge over the Mississippi River between Moline, Illinois and Bettendorf, Iowa. Danielle Alvarez, at the Iowa Department of Transportation, says construction … [Read more...]
Crews getting ready to cap off I-74 bridge from Bettendorf to Moline
In another week or so, crews will install the final piece atop the Iowa-bound arches for the new Interstate-74 bridge. The $1.3 billion project is underway on the Mississippi River between Bettendorf, Iowa, and Moline, Illinois. Danielle Alvarez, project manager at the Iowa DOT, calls that final … [Read more...]
Drop in travel means less money for the road construction fund
The director of the Department of Transportation says the agency is moving forward with road construction as the weather allows -- but funding could become an issue. DOT Planner Stuart Anderson says traffic volume is down as many businesses are closed by the pandemic and people are staying home. … [Read more...]
Iowa airports to receive millions from federal coronavirus relief package
The Federal Aviation Administration is sending more than 70 million dollars ($70,467,304) to 79 airports in Iowa as part of the federal coronavirus relief package. Stuart Anderson with the Iowa Department of Transportation says the money is designed to help airports deal with the drop in flights … [Read more...]