The freezing and thawing have been brutal on city streets opening up large potholes. Iowa DOT Winter operations administrator, Craig Bargfrede says state highways have not been immune from the problem. "With the freeze and refreeze that we have seen -- that has generated some pretty significant … [Read more...]
Flooding could impact work on new I-74 bridge at Bettendorf
The risk of flooding on the Mississippi River could cause further delays of the new $1.2 billion Interstate 74 bridge under construction between Bettendorf, Iowa and Moline, Illinois. Almost two years after breaking ground, Iowa DOT construction engineer Doug McDonald says they're starting to put … [Read more...]
Iowa DOT suggests $130 annual fee for electric vehicles
Five members of the Iowa House have signed off on the idea of charging a new fee to the owners of electric vehicles and a new, per-kilowatt-hour tax at public charging stations. Michael Triplett, a lobbyist for the Automobile Manufacturers Association, asked legislators not to set the fee higher … [Read more...]
Senate panel votes to hike texting while driving fine
A senate committee has unanimously approved more than tripling the fine for people caught handling their smart phone while driving. Drivers gripping their cell to text or talk when they're involved in serious accidents could have their driver's licenses suspended for three months if the bill … [Read more...]
DOT could end up with a record use of salt and sand on roadways
All the snow and wind we've had on the last couple of days is keeping the big orange DOT plow trucks on the roads they could end up using a record amount of salt and sand. DOT Winter operations administrator, Craig Bargfrede, says the last two days haven't given them any rest. "If this continues … [Read more...]
$100 fine proposed for highway drivers loitering on the left
Drivers in Iowa who linger too long in the left-hand lane of an interstate or four-lane highway could face a $100 fine under a proposal that has advanced to a House committee. Representative Gary Worthan of Storm Lake is a truck driver and he often sees motorists driving way below the speed limit … [Read more...]
Iowa’s governor open to ban on smart phone use while driving
Governor Kim Reynolds says motorists using a smart phone while they drive are "extremely dangerous" and she’s open to considering legislation to crack down on the behavior. "We want to do everything we can to reduce the number of road fatalities and that seems like a practical thing to do," … [Read more...]
Travel conditions not good in many parts of the state
Tow bans are in place in more than one dozen counties today as weather conditions are making travel dangerous in some areas. Iowa DOT Winter Operations Administrator, Craig Bargfrede, says state plow drivers have some tough conditions to work in. "High wind gusts, low visibility because of the … [Read more...]
System now gives updated information on open parking spots to truckers
Operators of big rigs traveling through Iowa and seven other states are starting to take advantage of a new system designed to make it easier for commercial drivers to locate parking in rest areas and private truck stops. Phil Mescher with the Iowa DOT's Office of Systems Planning, says the effort … [Read more...]
State roadway deaths way down as the year nears end
Iowa could close 2018 with its lowest number of traffic deaths in more than seven decades. Patrick Hoye, chief of the Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau, says around 312 people have died in crashes on Iowa roads this year. That puts the state on pace to improve on a low fatality count posted five … [Read more...]