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Roadside Chat - Words can do harm. Phone down. Enjoy the silence.

Roadside Chat - Words can do harm. Phone down. Enjoy the silence.

May 26, 2023

5-26 words can do harmWhen you’re behind the wheel, words on your phone screen are very unnecessary. The fear of missing out on information can be controlled while you are driving but it’s up to you to make the conscious decision to put your phone down. Value your life and the lives of those on the road above what may be said over a text message or social media post.

Building more than roads and bridges with our tribal partners

Building more than roads and bridges with our tribal partners

May 24, 2023

Iowa 31 archeologyRespect and understanding can create strong relationships between seemingly disparate groups. Iowa has a rich history of Native American inhabitants. These sovereign nations and tribes continue to have a vested interest in the land and all that it holds. When the Iowa Department of Transportation needs to disturb the land for a road or bridge construction project, our tribal partners are an invaluable resource to help preserve Iowa’s cultural heritage.

When construction season and tourist season collide

When construction season and tourist season collide

May 22, 2023

Causeway ITS cameraIt sounds like a recipe for frustration. Major repairs are needed to the main transportation artery through a very popular tourist area. As most Iowans know, the road construction season can be intense because good weather to accommodate work is somewhat limited. The same could be said for the summer water sports season. 

Here’s the situation. The pavement on U.S. 71 in Iowa’s Lakes region in Northwest Iowa needs to be replaced and the sidewalks on the causeway, which is a short bridge over the lake, need to be updated with safety barrier rail to protect pedestrians. Most of the impacts are to the towns of Arnold’s Park and Okoboji, home to one of the most popular lake regions in the state. 

For the Iowa Department of Transportation to provide excellent customer service, we needed to find a way to get nearly $20 million in construction work done while also minimizing disruption to the tourist season. Our team in the District 3 office in Sioux City ramped up communication with both our contracting partners and the community, with a focus on listening to and taking the needs of those in the area into consideration when staging certain aspects of the project to reconstruct U.S. 71.

Roadside Chat - Fast & furious? Nope. Slow down & smile

Roadside Chat - Fast & furious? Nope. Slow down & smile

May 19, 2023

5-19 fast and furiousAre you Iowa nice when you’re behind the wheel? Not all drivers are going to do everything you expect them to do. If you’re sharing the road with someone whose driving isn’t up to your standards, you need to be prepared to let it go and just move on.

Personnel updates for April 28 to May 11, 2023

Personnel updates for April 28 to May 11, 2023

May 18, 2023

New personnel imageInformation supplied by the Business Systems Bureau

 


Roadside Chat - Slow your sizzle. We're bacon you to watch your speed.

Roadside Chat - Slow your sizzle. We're bacon you to watch your speed.

May 12, 2023

5-12 slow your sizzleWe aren’t too proud to beg. PLEASE slow down on Iowa roads!

We know food is a great motivator, but we want you to be safe as you head to the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival or any other activity this weekend.

Last year May ranked second highest in the number of fatalities on Iowa highways. Let’s change that statistic this year by obeying the speed limit and driving chill. Other aggressive behaviors to avoid include:

Personnel updates for April 14, 2023 to April 27, 2023

Personnel updates for April 14, 2023 to April 27, 2023

May 5, 2023

New personnel imageInformation supplied by the Business Systems Bureau

 

 

Roadside Chat - Born to be wild? You can still be an easy rider.

Roadside Chat - Born to be wild? You can still be an easy rider.

May 5, 2023

5-5 easy riderFor some people, there’s nothing quite like taking to the open road on a motorcycle. Riding can give you an adrenaline rush that releases “feel good” hormones called endorphins in the body. Some riders refer to the experience as “pure joy.”

The cost of a motorcycle is typically less than a car and they use less gas, which makes them an economical transportation option.

Those are a few of the positive aspects of life on two wheels. Since May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, we also need to talk about the dangers.

May 2023 Service awards

May 2023 Service awards

May 1, 2023

ServiceawardInformation provided by the Business Systems Bureau

 

 

 

 

Roadside Chat - Crush the candy another time. Eyes on the road.

Roadside Chat - Crush the candy another time. Eyes on the road.

April 28, 2023

4-28 crush the candyPlaying games on your phone can be a good way to relieve stress and pass the time. Playing games, or doing anything else on your phone, while you are driving can be deadly.

There are three main types of distractions behind the wheel.

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