Record-setting year ahead for road construction in Iowa
AMES, Iowa – March 24. 2009 – Funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, combined with other local, state and federal highway funds, as well as construction work carried over from 2008, will help Iowa set an all-time record for spending on roads and bridges this year. More than $1 billion in state highway projects will be underway this season.
This will mean there will be a significant increase in the level of construction and maintenance activities during this construction season. Officially, Iowa’s highway construction season begins in April and ends in October. However, some work may be performed earlier or later in the year, depending on the type of activity and weather conditions.
To keep Iowans informed, details about state construction and maintenance activities will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on the Internet at www.511ia.org or by calling 511.
Time flies by quickly and it will not be long before everyone will be able to enjoy the benefits of this year’s work. While underway, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is encouraging travelers to exercise patience, and take necessary safety precautions, including wearing a seat belt (all passengers in all seating positions) and obeying all instructions and signs in the work zones. Avoid distractions, like talking on your mobile phone or texting while driving, and stay alert for workers and equipment.
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Contact: Dena Gray-Fisher, 515-239-1922 or [email protected]
Editor’s note: Due to the high volume of work anticipated this year, the Iowa DOT will be issuing fewer news releases related to construction and maintenance activities, and instead making that information more accessible via the 511 Travel Information system.
This will allow the department to place a greater emphasis on issuance of news releases: at the start of construction projects that will be ongoing for several weeks or months; pertaining to projects that will result in a significant traffic disruption, such as a road or bridge closure; or involving work in high-traffic areas, such as urban interstate projects.