October 2013
DES MOINES, Iowa – Oct. 31, 2013 – An oversize load traveling north on U.S. 65 today damaged the westbound Interstate 80 mainline bridge at the Altoona interchange (exit 142), according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. Westbound I-80 traffic will be restricted to the right lane, so emergency repairs can be made to the bridge. Westbound I-80 motorists should expect traffic delays until the bridge repairs are completed and may want to consider taking alternate routes to avoid delays....
CHARITON, Iowa – Oct. 31, 2013 – North- and southbound lanes of Interstate 35 will be closed at exit 65, near Cumming, to allow bridge construction crews to set beams on the bridge carrying Warren County Road G-14 over I-35 Thursday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. until the beams are placed later that day, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Chariton construction office. I-35 traffic will be routed around the road closure using the entrance and exit...
AMES, Iowa – Oct. 30, 2013 – All over the nation, veterans will be honored on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11, for their service to our country. In Iowa, several of the public transit agencies will be offering free rides to veterans to thank them for their sacrifice. Some systems are extending free rides to veterans’ family members. To find out if your local transit system is participating, please go to http://www.iowadot.gov/transit/transitveterans.html. Check the site often as more activities are...
NEW HAMPTON, Iowa – Oct. 28, 2013 – Iowa 3 near Oelwein, in Fayette County, will be open to traffic late morning Tuesday, Oct. 29, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s New Hampton construction office. This section of Iowa 3 has been closed since July 15 for a concrete pavement overlay project. Motorists should be aware that there may still be workers and equipment working along the roadway after Iowa 3 reopens. The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive...
AMES, Iowa – Oct. 28, 2013 – The Iowa Department of Transportation will be closing offices in observance of Veterans Day. All business locations will be closed Monday, Nov. 11. Iowa DOT driver's license stations All Iowa DOT driver's license stations will be closed Saturday, Nov. 9, and Monday, Nov. 11 (offices are normally closed on Mondays). The stations will resume operation Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 8:30 a.m. Office of Vehicle and Motor Carrier Services The Iowa DOT’s Office of...
AMES, Iowa – Oct. 25, 2013 – The Iowa Department of Transportation is announcing the temporary closure of the undeveloped rest area at mile post 51 on southbound Interstate 35 in Warren County beginning Nov. 4, 2013. The rest area is used mostly by commercial motor carriers. Because the ramp from the rest area to I-35 is on an incline, large vehicles often have trouble getting traction to merge onto I-35 during winter weather, causing a dangerous situation on the...
AMES, Iowa – Oct. 24, 2013 – The Iowa Department of Transportation is seeking public input into the development of a new statewide plan for bicycle and pedestrian transportation at six public input meetings and online. The Iowa DOT is committed to expanding opportunities and further improving conditions for bicycling and walking across the state. The new Bicycle and Pedestrian Long-Range Plan is a major step forward for this effort. This plan will build upon the Iowa DOT’s long-range strategy...
AMES, Iowa – Oct. 23, 2013 – Minor traffic delays may be encountered on northbound Interstate 35 at exit 111 near Ames while Iowa Department of Transportation maintenance staff, in conjunction with the Iowa State Patrol, test the automatic gate closures at approximately 6:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, according to the Iowa DOT’s District 1 Office in Ames. Northbound I-35 will likely be closed for a few minutes and traffic will wait for the road to be reopened. However, if...
AMES, Iowa – Oct. 18, 2013 – To highlight National Teen Driver Safety Week, Oct. 20-26, the Iowa Department of Transportation echoes the commemoration’s theme of “It Takes Two: Shared Expectations for Teens and Parents for Driving.” This time of year many of us are preparing our vehicles for winter driving. Preparing our younger drivers should also be included in the winter plan. Getting behind the wheel for the first time on a wintery day can be nerve-wracking, even for...
AMES, Iowa – Oct. 17, 2013 – Partial completion of road construction work on westbound Interstate 235 at the 63rd Street interchange (exit 4) in Windsor Heights will now allow for the opening of the westbound entrance ramp beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Des Moines construction office. Other westbound I-235 auxiliary lane construction-related traffic information: The 73rd Street exit ramp will remain closed until approximately Nov. 7. The three westbound I-235...