December 2010
AMES, Iowa – Dec. 31, 2010; noon update - The Iowa Department of Transportation's (DOT) road weather information system is reporting a mix of precipitation and road conditions throughout the state as the two storm systems continue to collide. The freezing rain has moved farther east and is now affecting roads in east central and northeast Iowa. Roadway temperatures are continuing to plummet as the cold-air system pushes in behind the first storm. Interstate 80 between Des Moines and Grinnell,...
(This release is being sent by the Iowa Department of Transportation as a courtesy to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.) DETROIT LAKES, Minn.— (10 a.m.) The Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Minnesota State Patrol will open Interstate 94 between Moorhead and Alexandria and Highway 10 between Moorhead and Detroit Lakes at 10:30 a.m. Current driving conditions in west central Minnesota are still extremely difficult. Blowing and drifting snow and icy areas continue to cause reduced visibility and dangerous driving...
AMES, Iowa – Dec. 31, 2010: 10 a.m. update – The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is reporting that roadway conditions are deteriorating as the freezing rain covers the southwest portion and midsection of the state. Roadways, including Interstates 29, 35, 80 and 680 in the affected areas are mostly or completely covered with ice. The Iowa State Patrol is now prohibiting towing services in these areas. An unusual winter weather situation has Iowa caught in the middle of two...
AMES, Iowa – Dec. 31, 2010; 8:45 a.m. update - A clash of two storm systems is bringing mixed precipitation to Iowa today. The warmer system, pumping moisture from the south through Missouri into southern Iowa, is knocking heads with the frigid system moving in from the west. The result – slick road conditions for south central Iowa, and heavy snow and high winds for the northwest. Freezing drizzle and rain are causing roads in southwest and south central Iowa...
AMES, Iowa Dec. 30, 2010 – Fatality numbers for 2010 are expected to show a decrease from the six-year average, but they already show an increase over the 2009 single-year final number, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation's (Iowa DOT) data collection. In the past six years, death tolls on Iowa highways ranged from 2009’s low of 371 to a high of 450 in 2005, for an approximate annual average of 418. Preliminary data to date show that 384...
AMES, Iowa – Dec. 30, 2010: 9:30 a.m. update – A mix of rain, freezing rain and snow are forecast for Iowa over the next 48 hours, which could make travel hazardous in some parts of the state. The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is preparing for the heaviest amounts of snowfall to occur in the northwest corner of the state. As much as 4.5-8 inches of snow is forecast for Friday in an area northwest of a line stretching...
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – Dec. 29, 2010 – Work continues on the installation of light poles and has required closure of the outside lane of eastbound U.S. 6 between Eighth and 16th streets in Council Bluffs weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Wednesday, Jan. 26, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Council Bluffs construction office. Also, there will be a 12-foot width lane restriction. Westbound traffic on U.S. 6 is currently being detoured and...
AMES, Iowa – Dec. 28, 2010 – The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) will hold a public information meeting Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2011, to discuss proposed improvements to the U.S. 18/U.S. 218/Floyd County Road T-44 intersection at Floyd. The public is invited to attend the meeting anytime between 5 and 6:30 p.m. at the Floyd Community Center, 706 Fairfield St. This public information meeting will be conducted utilizing an open forum format. No formal presentation will be made. Iowa DOT...
AMES, Iowa – Dec. 28, 2010 – The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) will hold a public information meeting Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011, to discuss the proposed replacement of the U.S. 71 bridge over the Wall Lake outlet, near Black Hawk Lake just east of Lake View in Sac County. The public is invited to attend the meeting anytime between 5 and 7 p.m. at the Lake View City Office, 305 Main St. This public information meeting will be conducted...
AMES, Iowa – Dec. 28, 2010 – The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) will hold a public information meeting Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011, to discuss the proposed replacement of the Iowa 187 Maquoketa River bridge 2.1 miles north of Iowa 3 in Fayette County. The public is invited to attend the meeting anytime between 5 and 7:30 p.m. at the Starmont High School, 3202 40th St., in Arlington. This public information meeting will be conducted utilizing an open forum format....