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...]
Be prepared to quarantine if you travel to New York, New Jersey, Connecticut
Iowans traveling to New York, New Jersey and Connecticut now face a two-week quarantine upon arrival. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says Iowa is one of 16 states on a list that requires travelers to self-isolate once they reach one of the three northeastern states. Cuomo says any state with 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...]
Pandemic expected to keep Memorial Day travel down despite lower gas prices
Gasoline prices in Iowa are averaging almost a dollar lower than last year, but it won't be enough to lure most of us to take a road trip for Memorial Day weekend. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Rose White, at AAA-Iowa, says the motor club isn't releasing a holiday weekend travel forecast for … [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...]
Cities getting more road projects done as pandemic cuts traffic
Construction on several downtown projects around the state has been accelerated due to reduced foot and vehicle traffic created by the coronavirus pandemic. Workers in Cedar Falls are replacing decades-old bricks in the area known as the Parkade. City Communications Specialist Amanda Huisman says … [Read more...]
Gas prices continue to drop in Iowa
A few Iowa counties are now seeing gasoline prices averaging a $1.10 a gallon, the lowest prices we've seen in many years. Rose White, spokeswoman for AAA-Iowa, says prices have been falling during the coronavirus pandemic on a state and national level, with the country's average gas price now at … [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...]