Monthly Archives: August 2017

Aug 31

Meeting reveals I-29/480 interchange final plans

On Aug. 15, the DOT held a meeting in Council Bluffs to go over the proposal for, and final environmental assessment of, a completely redone I-29/I-480 interchange in Council Bluffs. As you can see in the handout (PDF), the “interchange … Continue reading

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Aug 30

Interstate system extends around Carson City

The trivia question about state capitals not on the interstate system got a different answer in 2012, and now the connection is complete. The final segment of I-580 running south from Reno to Carson City NV opened Aug. 2. (Interstate … Continue reading

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Aug 29

Second I-80 “public meeting” video online

The DOT’s “I-80 Planning Study Public Meeting #2” video, about 11 minutes long, is online. It has had fewer than 400 views since being uploaded to YouTube a month ago. Perhaps I can help with that: For some reason, all … Continue reading

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Aug 28

Adel, Waukee now touch each other

The sprawl monster has 4,500 more acres of Iowa to feast on. A few months ago, Waukee added two huge tracts of land* and one smaller one in annexation procedures. The vast majority is undeveloped but that will change. A … Continue reading

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Aug 26

Update: Gladbrook-Reinbeck dropping to 8

In Friday’s football post, I remarked about a prediction that Gladbrook-Reinbeck would drop to 8-man football next year. Turns out that is indeed the case, and I was unaware. GR is playing 8 at the junior high and JV levels already … Continue reading

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Aug 25

Football season already?

OK, 2017 is coming, I told myself months ago. Year after a presidential election. I can clear my miles-long backlog of things to read and watch. Certainly August, when Congress is in recess, will be a time to get stuff … Continue reading

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Aug 24

End of the buffet line

The closure of Ryan’s Steakhouse on Collins Road in Cedar Rapids in June was so abrupt that the employees weren’t notified. I was reminded that it was closed when I drove past it this week. And then it hit me: … Continue reading

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Aug 23

Black, purple, and silver

This fall, two new sets of teams will be competing in Iowa sports. Both schools chose black, purple, and silver as team colors. Both have nicknames related to severe weather. Both start the school year today. But that’s where the … Continue reading

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Aug 22

‘Microorganism’ clogs underpass drain in Waterloo

The US 63 railroad underpass north of downtown Waterloo often has water in it, and it’s not just because it’s a low spot. There’s a microorganism that interferes with the draining, a DOT engineer tells KWWL. In the next two … Continue reading

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Aug 21

Eclipse day

As you may be aware, there’s a solar eclipse across the country today. Iowa is only going to get a partial experience of it, though. A little sliver of the very southwest corner is supposed to be in the “path … Continue reading

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