Author Archives: Jeff

Jun 04

Long detour for one ramp in Sioux City

The ramp from westbound US 20/southbound US 75 to southbound I-29 closed Tuesday for an estimated two months, KTIV reports. It’s for a bridge deck overlay and barrier replacement. The Iowa DOT’s signed detour takes travelers north on I-29 all … Continue reading

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Jun 02

Back-to-back Big Boy stories

KTIV has two stories related to the Union Pacific’s Big Boy going through western Iowa on Sunday. The first is about the train’s stop in Carroll. The second, whose video plays after the first, is about maintenance of the train … Continue reading

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May 28

Des Moines’ Moulton Elementary ends service

Moulton Elementary School in Des Moines, the core of which began life as the original Des Moines North High School, will be demolished this summer. The oldest part is 110 years old. The Des Moines City Council approved demolition in … Continue reading

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May 22

Iowa and the Underground Railroad

As endorsed by former Des Moines Register editor and current president of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, Randy Evans: “This is a very readable account of the role Iowa, and Iowans, played in slaves gaining their freedom in the … Continue reading

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May 20

Iowa radio and TV in the 20th century

Jeff Stein came to Toledo last month to give a presentation based on his book about Iowa news on the airwaves. It’s about the early years of radio and television. This story been printed in the two Tama County papers, … Continue reading

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May 18

IA 21 to close south of Belle Plaine in 2028

For the summer of 2026, US 30 between US 63 and IA 21 is serving as a detour route for US 63. Two summers from now, it will flip to being a detour route for IA 21. A meeting in … Continue reading

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May 14

Perry roundabout plan reveals messed-up street map

The DOT at its May meeting approved a batch of RISE grants. These “Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy” awards are for construction that isn’t necessarily on roads on Iowa’s highway system, but will contribute to economic development. One of the grants … Continue reading

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May 08

US 34 construction creates long official detour

Officially, US 34 between Chariton and Albia has been closed to thru traffic since April 27 for a concrete overlay. The construction is from Albia west to near the Melrose corner. The detour runs up IA 14 to Knoxville, then … Continue reading

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May 06

Centennial Bridge meeting at Rock Island this month

The Illinois Department of Transportation is the lead agency on replacement of the Centennial Bridge, US 67 across the Mississippi River. There will be an open house on May 20 from 3 to 6 PM at the Holiday Inn in … Continue reading

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May 01

Ramp at US 218/IA 58 to close for two months

A press release from the Iowa DOT says that starting next week, the ramp from northbound (westbound) US 218 to southbound IA 58 will close until late July. The detour involves going north on 218 to the Lone Tree Road … Continue reading

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