January 2010
AMES, Iowa – Jan. 29, 2010 – The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) will hold a public information meeting Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010, in Hornick to discuss the proposed bridge deck replacement on Iowa 141 over a drainage ditch two miles west of Woodbury County Road K-64. The public is invited to attend the meeting anytime between 5 and 7 p.m. at the Hornick City Hall/Fire Station, 400 Main St. This public information meeting will be conducted utilizing an open...
AMES, Iowa – Jan. 28, 2010 – Earlier today, Governor Chet Culver announced that Iowa has been selected to receive two high-speed passenger rail grants worth approximately $18 million. These funds are part of the $8 billion provided for passenger rail grants in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) Director Nancy Richardson said, “This is great news for Iowa. Furthering plans of expanded passenger rail service in Iowa will eventually connect more businesses,...
AMES, Iowa – Jan. 26, 2010; 4 p.m. update – The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is reporting that road conditions have significantly improved today following yesterday‘s blizzard. Tremendous progress was made throughout the day in reopening many impassable roads and restoring lanes of travel. Iowa 7 from U.S. 71 east to Newell is the last roadway that still remains impassable due to multiple semi-tractor trailer units stuck in the snow. Tow trucks are presently at work in the area...
AMES, Iowa – Jan. 26, 2010 – 2:30 p.m. – The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Office of Motor Carrier Services has resumed the permitting and movement of oversize loads in certain parts of Iowa following a disruption during the winter storm. Movement will be allowed on roadway surfaces classified as “Normal” (displayed in green) or “Wet” (displayed in blue) on the Iowa Winter Road Conditions Map, available at www.511ia.org (select the low bandwidth display, and Winter Conditions tab). The entire...
AMES, Iowa - Jan. 26, 2010; 2 p.m. update - The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is reporting that road conditions continue to improve. The list of impassable roads has been significantly reduced. The Iowa State Patrol has removed all “No Travel Advised” notices from the road condition report. Many roadways in southwest, central and east central Iowa have returned to normal winter driving conditions. Wind gusts in excess of 30 mph in central, north central and east central Iowa...
AMES, Iowa – Jan. 26, 2010 – Yesterday’s winter storm left Iowa’s roads and ditches littered with hundreds of vehicles. To allow blockages to be cleared, some vehicles are being towed from the roadways. Other vehicles will be removed from the ditches once the tow bans have been lifted and Iowa Department of Transportation crews have been able to restore the roadways to more normal winter driving conditions. Motorists may encounter intermittent road and/or lane closures throughout the next few...
AMES, Iowa - Jan. 26, 2010; noon update - The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is reporting that road conditions are still improving as snowplows make good progress reopening roads, the winds gradually diminish and the sun warms up the roadway surfaces. The list of impassable roads has been significantly reduced. According to the Iowa DOT’s road weather information system, statewide wind speeds are currently averaging 8 to 25 mph, and gusts 18 to 31 mph. Some of the highest...
AMES, Iowa - Jan. 26, 2010; 10 a.m. update - The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is reporting that road conditions are slowly improving as snowplows begin making progress on reopening of roads, the winds gradually diminish and the sun begins to warm up the pavement temperatures. Regular updates Reopening of roadways is a dynamic situation as crews throughout the state begin removing blockages. Therefore, the Iowa DOT will be issuing periodic updates throughout today, as warranted. The information provided...
AMES, Iowa - Jan. 26, 2010; 8:15 a.m. update - The Iowa Department of Transportation and Iowa State Patrol announce that the northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 35 have reopened to traffic from U.S. 30 (Ames) north to Albert Lea, Minnesota. All entrance ramp gates are being reopened. Travelers are cautioned to expect areas of low visibility, snow blowing over the roadway, and patches of mixed ice and snow on the roadway surface. ## Media contact: Dena Gray-Fisher, 515-290-1637,...
AMES, Iowa - Jan. 26, 2010; 8 a.m. update - The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is reporting that road conditions have not improved much overnight, but visibility has significantly improved, allowing snowplows to resume operations. Although still partially covered with snow or ice, road conditions are best in southeast and east central Iowa. The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for blowing and drifting snow, which will remain in effect until 10 a.m. this morning. Approximately...