Archives: May 2024
Roadside Chat – Flashing lights on shoulder? Move Over
May 31, 2024
When you are behind the wheel you will likely encounter more people than just other drivers on the road. Whether it’s emergency responders helping with an incident, utility or maintenance workers, or someone whose vehicle has broken down, the actions you choose to take could make the difference between life or death.
So far this year there have been 12 pedestrian deaths on Iowa’s roads. When you think about a pedestrian death many imagine someone who is hit as they were trying to cross a city street. But the truth is the majority of those deaths are those that were struck along the side of a high-speed highway.
Personnel updates for May 10 to May 23, 2024
May 30, 2024
Information supplied by the Business Systems Bureau
Roadside Chat: In Loving Memory—Belts—Hugs—Donate for Life
May 24, 2024
The last two weeks have brought profound sorrow to the Iowa DOT family.
We tragically lost Matt Dickerson, one of our maintenance employees out of our Neola Garage when he was struck and killed in a work zone on I-80 near Council Bluffs last Thursday.
Earlier that week we were shocked to learn of the passing of Bob Mycka an assistant survey party chief in northwest Iowa.
And just this past Saturday, we received the devastating news that we lost Tracey Bramble, the consistent voice of the Iowa DOT’s social media, one of the creators of our overhead interstate board messages, and the writer of this blog. We can honestly say, our messages, and the Roadside Chat program will never be the same without Tracey’s personal stamp.
Roadside Chat: The Way You Drive Can Save Lives
May 17, 2024
What you do behind the wheel can have an impact on the number of mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and friends who are killed on Iowa highways. If every driver followed these four simple rules behind the wheel, everyone would be safer on the road.
Personnel updates for April 26 to May 9, 2024
May 16, 2024
Information supplied by the Business Systems Bureau
Roadside Chat: Seat belts hug you like I do - Mom
May 10, 2024
Sometimes you just need a hug. Scientists have proven that being hugged can uplift your mood by releasing endorphins in your system that act as natural pain relievers, slow down your heart rate, and decrease the level of a certain stress hormone in your body.
When you feel that seat belt around you, your stress level may also decrease knowing that simple, two-second action can save your life.
Moving mussels proves to be a real workout in Northeast Iowa
May 7, 2024
Just like your liver filters your blood, mussels in the Mississippi River filter out toxins and help balance the river’s ecosystem. To protect the mussels from damage during the construction process, two recent Mississippi River bridge projects involving the Iowa Department of Transportation have included relocating thousands of mussels, some of which are on the endangered species list.
Personnel updates for April 12 to April 25, 2024
May 3, 2024
Information supplied by the Business Systems Bureau
Roadside Chat: Be nice, look twice for bikes
May 3, 2024
With spring in the air, lots of folks are taking to the road on two wheels. Whether on a motorcycle or bicycle, being “Iowa nice” and sharing the road comes with responsibilities for everyone.