June 2012
AMES, Iowa – June 29, 2012 – The Iowa Department of Transportation is reporting that 2012 is already turning out to be a very deadly year on Iowa roadways. With the busy travel time for the July Fourth holiday coming soon, the Iowa DOT wants to make sure you make it to the fireworks by cautioning drivers to focus their attention on the task of driving when behind the wheel and ensuring that all persons in the vehicle are buckled...
AMES, Iowa – June 28, 2012 – The Iowa Department of Transportation will be conducting a rest area users’ opinion survey in June and July to assist in planning for future rest area needs. The same survey will be conducted in a variety of ways. Anyone can take the survey online at http://www.IowaDOTRestAreaStudy.com/ beginning June 28 through July 16. Rest area visitors to the Wilton, Osceola, Cedar Rapids, Onawa, Pacific Junction, Waukee, and Dows facilities will be asked to participate...
AMES, Iowa – June 27, 2012 – The Iowa Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing Tuesday, July 10, to discuss the four-lane improvement of U.S. 30 from the Iowa 21 intersection in Tama County east to the U.S. 218 intersection in Benton County. The completed environmental assessment for the improvement project will be presented during the hearing. The public is invited to attend the hearing anytime between 5 and 7 p.m. at the Blairstown Community Center, 305 Locust...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – June 26, 2012 – Bridge repair work at Eighth Street (exit 20B) over southbound Interstate 380 in Cedar Rapids will require closing the roadway, up to 20 minutes per time, to remove and replace concrete beams. The road closures on southbound I-380 are expected to occur between midnight and 5 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday, June 27 and 28, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Cedar Rapids Construction Office. The Iowa DOT reminds motorists...
AMES, Iowa – June 26, 2012 – Gov. Terry Branstad has issued a proclamation designating June as Public Transportation Appreciation Month in Iowa. In the proclamation, the governor notes that public transportation provides Iowans access to jobs, health care, education, businesses, recreation, and other services every day. The document continues to state that public transportation reduces traffic congestion, allows individuals to maintain independence, and increases the rural and urban mobility options for Iowans. Branstad states public transportation is a safe...
AMES, Iowa – June 26, 2012 – Travel during the upcoming July 4 holiday may be slowed by road construction, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. Several projects on Iowa’s interstate and state roadways may warrant advance planning on the part of drivers. Central Iowa Construction of a new bridge on Iowa 4 in Jefferson over the Union Pacific Railroad Co.'s property is in progress. Iowa 4 is closed between Reed Street and Central Avenue. Traffic is under detour...
AMES, Iowa – June 25, 2012 – Military personnel have one less barrier to securing civilian employment in Iowa. If you have recent experience driving large trucks in the military, you may be eligible to obtain an Iowa commercial driver’s license (CDL) without taking the drive skills test normally required. New law takes effect July 1. House File 2403, signed into law by Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad on April 4, 2012, authorizes the Iowa Department of Transportation to waive the...
AMES, Iowa – June 25, 2012 – Transit systems from Burlington and Atlantic have been honored by the Iowa Department of Transportation for their accomplishments during the 2011 fiscal year. Each year at the Iowa Public Transit Association Conference and Annual Meeting, the Iowa DOT recognizes one regional transit system and one urban transit system for the highest percentage increase in ridership, coupled with a decrease in cost per ride. Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA), also known as Region 13,...
AMES, Iowa – June 25, 2012 – Beginning July 1, motorists in Iowa who are ticketed and convicted of a violation of Iowa’s “move over” law will face increased penalties. House File 2228, signed into law by Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad April 12, 2012, takes effect Sunday, July 1. It includes a provision requiring mandatory suspension of a person's driver's license/operating privileges if convicted of a violation of the move over law that results in property damage, injury or death....
AMES, Iowa – June 15, 2012 – The Iowa Department of Transportation will be closing offices on the Fourth of July holiday. All business locations will be closed Wednesday, July 4. Iowa DOT driver's license stations All Iowa DOT driver's license stations will be closed Wednesday, July 4, and will reopen Thursday, July 5, at 8:30 a.m. Motor Carrier Services’ Permit Center The Iowa DOT’s Office of Motor Carrier Services’ Permit Center, normally open Monday through Friday, will close at...