Author Archives: Jeff

Aug 06

It’s hard to get to Baxter right now

Construction projects at either end of old IA 223 in Jasper County make any east-west excursion to Baxter somewhat difficult at the moment. Baxter is one of a handful of Iowa towns with a population above 1000 but without a … Continue reading

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Aug 03

newbo de-evolve

This is not a post irrationally ranting about “newbo evolve”, the Cedar Rapids “music, art and inspiration” festival this weekend that wants to be something like a South by Southwest, charges $375 $402.50 for the high-end pass, and insists on being … Continue reading

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Aug 02

I-95, nearly complete at last

A big roadgeeking milestone will happen this year: Interstate 95, and the original layout of the interstate highway system, will become complete. I-95 has been discontinuous between Pennsylvania and New Jersey since the system began. It’s New Jersey’s fault (video). … Continue reading

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Aug 01

Ames flyover potentially unfinished this year

The maligned I-35 flyover ramp to US 30 at Ames is so messed up it may not open until next year. The Iowa State Daily has the story on the DOT acknowledging the delay. A couple weeks ago news came out that the … Continue reading

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Jul 31

Sabula bridge delayed again

The shiny new Mississippi River bridge at Sabula will be lonely for a few more weeks as high waters have delayed construction at the overflow bridge again. The Iowa DOT says it won’t be done in time for Labor Day. … Continue reading

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Jul 30

Electricity comes to Sioux City

July 9, 2018: This is not Sioux City. It is CAL’s baseball diamond in Alexander. I happened to pass by when the team was having its last practice, ever. The tie-in to this post is that a district so small … Continue reading

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Jul 27

1A baseball final: Unbeaten team vs. private school

The Class 1A baseball final, as usual, will pit a private school against a public school. There was a “balance”  of four of each starting the state tournament, but three were eliminated in the first round, removing a chance for … Continue reading

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Jul 26

Big boost to save Lincoln Highway bridge

Two grants are going to go a long way in preserving Lincoln Highway history in Tama. First, earlier this month, the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs awarded a $50,000 grant for the Lincoln Highway bridge, getting funding very near the … Continue reading

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Jul 25

Another stoplight for US 69 in Ames

Not a huge development in the scheme of things, but US 69 (South Duff Avenue) is getting its second stoplight south of US 30 in Ames, reports the Ames Tribune. The construction project will three-lane 69 from the first city … Continue reading

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Jul 24

US 20 Galva-Early detour over

New Highway 20 took another step forward Friday, when the detour between Galva and Early was lifted. Traffic is now on the new westbound lanes, a construction notice said last week. The video below is from KCAU.

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