Iowa DOT News

December 2008

Iowa’s road and bridge conditions worsen as financing concerns heighten

December 31, 2008

AMES, Iowa – Dec. 31, 2008 – Today, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) released a report to the Iowa General Assembly that analyzed the critical needs of Iowa’s roadway systems and revenues to support them. The Iowa DOT analysis shows that the funding shortfall to meet the most critical road and bridge needs has increased from $200 to $267 million annually. The report finds that road and bridge conditions are worsening due to insufficient investment and the impact of...

DOT offices closed for Martin Luther King Jr. holiday

December 31, 2008

AMES, Iowa – Dec. 31, 2009 – Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) driver's license stations and the Motor Carrier Permit Center will be closed for the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. holiday according to the following schedule. Driver's license stations All Iowa DOT driver's license stations, normally open Tuesday through Saturday, will be closed Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009. The stations will resume normal hours Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009. Motor Carrier Permit Center The Iowa DOT's Permit Center will be closed...

Top 2008 Iowa transportation stories

December 30, 2008

AMES, Iowa – Dec. 30, 2008 – According to the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), severe winter weather’s freeze/thaw damage to roads, passage of TIME-21 state highway funding, opening of the Underwood Rest Area and Welcome Center, release of a passenger rail study, tornadoes and floods, completion of the Des Moines to Burlington corridor, less highway travel and lower fatalities rank top among Iowa transportation stories for 2008. 2008 started off with a barrage of winter storms, including the notorious...

Travel problems persist in eastern Iowa

December 28, 2008

AMES, Iowa - Dec. 28, 2008: 8:15 a.m. update: A mix of snow and ice on roadways in the eastern half of the state continue to present travel problems. Travel conditions should improve by late morning as road temperatures reach above freezing. The following travel conditions are presently forecast for the affected areas. East central: Road temperatures are expected to reach above freezing around 11 a.m. this morning, which will help melt off ice/snow from the roadways. Formation of frost...

Band of snow causes slick roads and reduces visibility

December 27, 2008

AMES, Iowa - Dec. 27, 2008 - 9 p.m. update: A band of heavy snow stretching from the Missouri to Minnesota borders and from just west of Interstate 35 through eastern Iowa is causing slick roads and reducing visibility. Wind gusts in the mid 20s are causing some drifting of snow. Several major routes in both central and eastern Iowa are completely covered with snow or snow and ice, including portions of Interstate 35 near Ames, I-80 from just west...

Black ice, the invisible threat

December 27, 2008

AMES, Iowa - Dec. 27, 2008, 2:45 p.m. update. The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is warning drivers that the combination of atmospheric conditions, falling pavement temperatures and occasional blowing snow is suitable for the formation of black ice and/or refreezing of moisture on roadways and bridges later this afternoon through the overnight hours. Even when the pavement appears to be mostly dry or just wet, roads could be deceivingly slippery in spots. When the mercury drops below 25 degrees...

Commercial vehicle operators reminded to perform key pre-trip inspections

December 27, 2008

AMES, Iowa - Dec. 27, 2008, 2:30 p.m. update - The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is reminding professional truck drivers to perform thorough pre-trip inspections, following a rash of semi-tractor/trailer vehicle breakdowns, which have caused major travel disruptions today on Interstate 80. Air brake systems need special attention in the winter. Frozen moisture in an air brake system seriously affects operation. Brake lines, air brake filters, brake chambers, pushrods, valves, and seals are subject to more defects and failure...

Iowa DOT offers tips for driving in icy conditions

December 27, 2008

AMES, Iowa - Dec. 27, 2008: 11:45 a.m. update - The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is offering motorists the following tips should it be necessary to travel today under icy driving conditions. Do not use your cruise control. Take it slow and drive at a speed safe for conditions. Leave plenty of space between your vehicle and others on the road. This is definitely not the time to tailgate. Even if you feel confident that you know how to...

Ice covered roads causing dangerous travel conditions

December 27, 2008

AMES, Iowa - Dec. 27, 2008:11:20 a.m. update - A combination of mixed precipitation, cold pavement temperatures and a cold front moving through the state is causing roads to become partially or completely ice covered. Road conditions have continued to deteriorate throughout the morning. Localized flooding is also occurring in Lee County as a result of yesterday’s melting snow. Areas currently affected by the icing conditions include portions of southwest, south central, central, north central, northeast, and eastern Iowa. Towing...

Westbound I-80 lane restricted in Poweshiek County for maintenance work

December 26, 2008

AMES, Iowa – Dec. 26, 2008 – Maintenance activities on Interstate 80 in Poweshiek County will restrict traffic to one westbound lane between exit 182 (Iowa 146) and exit 191 ( U.S. 63), according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 1 maintenance office. The right lane closure is scheduled to begin this morning at 9:30 a.m., and reopen Friday, Dec. 26 at 10:30 a.m., weather permitting. Use caution in the work zone. Obey all posted signs. Allow ample space...

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