Transportation Matters for Iowa

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February 28, 2020

Information supplied by the Bureau of Budget and Business Systems

Better information builds safer workzones

February 26, 2020

Every year work zones pop up all over Iowa as soon as the weather starts to warm up. Preparing in advance to make those work zone as safe and efficient as possible is no easy feat. Designing a safe work zone is much more than just putting out some cones. There is a lot of data to analyze and best practices to follow to make sure a work zone keeps you moving toward your destination.

One of the key factors in a safe, efficient work zone is consistency. As a driver, you need to know what to expect when you see that “road work ahead” sign. In an effort to make work zones more consistent and centralize work zone best practices, the Iowa Department of Transportation has gathered information together in a Work Zone Reference Library. This online ‘toolbox’ will help Iowa DOT, county and city engineers, and our industry partners ensure each work zone is set up as consistently, effectively, and safely as possible.

Message Monday - A Mardi Gras mask can't disguise drunk driving

February 24, 2020

Will you be donning a mask to celebrate Fat Tuesday tomorrow? If you’re behind the wheel after a few drinks during a Mardi Gras celebration, a mask isn’t going to hide your identity from law enforcement. The actions of a drunk driver can be extremely obvious to almost everyone but the drunk driver.

Up to the challenge – keeping traffic moving on Iowa 2 in flood-ravaged SW Iowa

February 17, 2020

When the flooding started in Southwest Iowa in March 2019, few people expected the water to rise and fall relatively quickly, as it did during the 2011 floods. The cause of this round of flooding was complicated with snowmelt runoff from the north, heavy spring rains, and swollen tributaries feeding the Missouri River.

Nearly a year later, water still inundates a significant portion of several Southwest Iowa counties. Last Spring's heavy rainfall caused both the Missouri River and the Platte River that feeds it to swell, breaking through an intricate system of levees. With the levee system breached, powerful water ran freely through farmlands, towns, and the transportation system, impacting both state and county road and railroad lines. Local citizens were forced to find creative ways to get where they needed to go, often adding hours to each day’s commute. With more flooding predicted for Spring 2020, the Iowa DOT has been working non-stop on projects designed to reduce the traffic impacts more flooding could bring. One such project is on Iowa 2 near Nebraska City.

Message Monday - Presidents' Day Seat Belt Sale! Use one, Save One

February 17, 2020

The third Monday in February was set as “Presidents’ Day” by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971. We’re not sure when the switch happened, but now, this holiday seems to be less about celebrating our nation’s leaders and more about getting a good deal on furniture or electronics.

Not that we’re against good deals. One of the best deals you’re going to get doesn’t cost you any additional money and actually comes as standard equipment with every vehicle sold in America – the seat belt. In the U.S., seat belts have been mandatory equipment in passenger vehicles sine the 1968 model year. That’s 52+ years of saving lives simply by clicking a belt around your body.