The Iowa Department of Transportation is renaming of the northern segment of Interstate 680 in western Iowa to try and end confusion for travelers in southwest Iowa. The DOT's Scott Suhr says that part of the highway is now called 880. "It's the section that runs from Interstate 80 to I-29 on the … [Read more...]
New Mississippi River bridge at I-74 is on track despite rumors
Construction of the new Interstate 74 bridge over the Mississippi River in the Quad Cities was making good progress this year until repeated flooding caused multiple delays. Project manager Danielle Alvarez says they are making good progress, as the four starting points for the huge arches are … [Read more...]
Money approved for businesses access roads in Perry and Marshalltown
The Iowa Transportation Commission approved up to $884,000 Tuesday to improve a roadway to a business in Perry. DOT spokesman, Craig Markley, says it would improve access to three acres of an industrial area and help a local business. "Progressive Foundry -- they make all kinds of cast iron … [Read more...]
Deadline for REAL ID driver’s license now one year away
Tuesday marked the one-year countdown to the federal regulation that requires you to have your driver's license certified as a "REAl ID" to be able to use it as identification for flying. Iowa DOT Director Mark Lowe says the requirement came out of rules developed at the 9-11 terrorist attacks. … [Read more...]
DOT says Highway Helper expansion comes without increased cost
A spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Transportation says they are expanding the hours and coverage of its Highway Helper trucks at a lower cost. The DOT's Bonnie Castillo says the bid for the program came in at $2.3 million, compared to $3.3 million under the previous contract. She says … [Read more...]
Interstate 35 flyover bridge in Ames now open
The long-delayed new flyover ramp at the intersection of Interstate 35 and Highway 30 on the edge of Ames finally opened today. The DOT's Jesse Tibodeau says construction started on the 23-million dollar project in December of 2016 and it was supposed to be done in two years. "In 2018 the … [Read more...]
Pump prices lower than last Labor Day
Many people are using the Labor Day holiday as their last getaway of the summer. AAA Iowa's, Mark Peterson, says you'll be happy when you gas up. "These are some of the lowest prices we've had in two to three years," according to Peterson. He says everything has worked well to keep the prices … [Read more...]
DOT responds to demand for blackout plate with immediate sales of generic version
The Iowa Department of Transportation is going to start offering generic versions of the new blackout license plate next week at your county treasurer's office to help meet the demand. DOT spokesman, Daniel Yeh says the plate orders have been brisk and they've had 9.000 sold they began offering … [Read more...]
Survey finds drivers with new safety features take more risks
Smarter cars aren't necessarily making dumber drivers, but a survey from Iowa's largest auto insurance company finds smart cars are creating more careless motorists. Ben Buenzow, a State Farm agent in Urbandale, says the survey asked drivers about high-tech features like adaptive cruise control … [Read more...]
Several projects leave road fund with deficit to start fiscal year
The state fund which pays for road construction has a negative balance of around $80 million one month into the new fiscal year. The director of the division which oversees construction planning told the state Transportation Commission Monday that will change. The DOT's Stuart Anderson says they … [Read more...]