Precision is the key to successful winter maintenance

October 29, 2020

If you’ve driven in Iowa (or any other cold-weather state) in the winter, you’ve probably noticed that snowplows are equipped to spread salt in the form of either solid crystals or brine to help break up snow and ice. New calibration tools are helping Iowa DOT staff get their equipment ready for winter. The tools assure the correct amount of material is being applied.

Tina Greenfield of the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Maintenance Bureau said, “With decades of experience under our belts and data to back up our decisions, highway maintenance supervisors and technicians know the roads well and have tried and true methods to keeps those roads as safe as possible when winter weather hits.”

Personnel updates for Oct. 2 to Oct. 15, 2020

October 26, 2020

Information supplied by the Bureau of Budget and Business Systems

Message Monday - Driving impaired- the wrong kind of scared

October 26, 2020

Although there might not be quite as many ghosts and goblins running around your neighborhood this Halloween, there are still plenty of frightening drivers out on the road. Both Iowa and nationwide statistics show at least one-third of all fatal crashes involve an impaired driver.

Defensive driving course gains Iowa DOT National Safety Council Award

October 23, 2020

While Iowa is a small state, our employees put a lot of miles on state-owned vehicles. Not only is brushing up on defensive driving skills an important way to help you stay safe behind the wheel, but it is also now required by the Iowa Department of Administrative Services for all employees who have access to Iowa DOT vehicles or who drive their own vehicles 5,000 miles or more for work each year.

Iowa finds new tools to control stormwater erosion and sediment at construction sites

October 21, 2020

At the Iowa Department of Transportation, the preservation of limited natural resources is one element we look at when planning construction projects. When we’re constructing or moving a road, we often need to move earth. As good stewards of the land, we take precautions to assure that the disturbed ground does not erode, or the sediment wash away only to end up in another area.

Message Monday - You can't have too many friends, except in a car

October 19, 2020

The attitudes and behaviors of your teen’s friends can often have a big impact on your child. Most parents of teens recognize that this “friendly” influence might not be as positive as it could be, especially when your child is learning to drive.

The beginning of a child’s journey to become a driver usually includes a parent or guardian in the vehicle to teach the rules of the road. Once the teen gains the freedom to drive on their own your influence may still be felt but can be minimized by others who are riding along.