The more things change, the more they stay the same. (1983 state map photo)
Before I get to errors, if there are any, here’s what can be picked out as being changed in the newest Iowa state map:
- US 20 is four lanes from US 71 to Dubuque. There will be no more major shifts in that road. Where it is, is where it will be.
- US 63 is now red for its entire route, including through Tama County, reflecting the middle portion’s inclusion in the National Highway System.
- MN 60 is now four lanes from Bigelow to I-90. Minnesota is still doing some work in the US 59/I-90 area (PDF), but that is scheduled to be done this year, and the rural four-lane opened December 6.
- All exit numbers are vertical.
- IA 330 has been extended to Altoona.
- The line for IA 149/Business 63 in Ottumwa is now the smaller urban-route line.
- The yellow urban area for Cedar Rapids has
metastasizedgrown substantially, including nearly everything south of US 30 and west of Palisades Kepler State Park; the Palo and Toddville areas; and from IA 13 eastward about two miles. - Ditto for Des Moines’ area now having Polk City, Cumming, and everything east of R22 and south of US 6 in Dallas County.
- Iowa Falls and De Witt now have urban areas.
- I-35 Exit 94 in Ankeny has been added.
- Items I pointed out last year have been corrected.
Addendum: The Quad-City Times suggests that the paper map be discontinued because of “almost universal web access.” I can’t begin to explain how much of a bad idea this is.