Author Archives: Jeff

Dec 13

Corrections, updates for IA 415 page

I made a graphic a long time ago sketching out the changes to IA 415 between Ankeny and Polk City, but I had based it on incomplete information. Once DOT route descriptions were released, Jason Hancock updated his listing, but … Continue reading

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Dec 12

Waterville school at risk of closing

April 17, 2015: Waterville Elementary, on X32 in Allamakee County, has an old-school gym (pun mostly intended) to go with its 1922 building. Trophies inside recall the days when this was a high school. We had made it nearly half … Continue reading

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Dec 11

IA 100 signs at I-380 to be replaced

Buried in the bid lettings for August 2017 was a sign contract mostly centered around the IA 100 interchange with I-380. There’s a significant difference in the new signs — Cedar Rapids has been replaced with Iowa City for the … Continue reading

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Dec 08

US 61 Grandview bypass update

Correcting here and there: The expectation of four-lane US 61 opening around Grandview, extending the four-lane south from the Louisa/Muscatine county line, did not happen until December 1, Jason Hancock says. I should have put a question mark on the … Continue reading

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Dec 07

1989

A streak ended Wednesday night. The last time the Iowa women had won in Hilton Coliseum, Bill Fennelly was not ISU’s coach. The USSR existed; the Big 12 Conference didn’t. Taylor Swift was four days old. (That’s right, she’s eligible … Continue reading

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Dec 06

School timeline gets some tweaks

I finally made good on the first part of a personal New Year’s resolution: I went through my entire timeline of school district and building changes and made year notations on a list of Iowa towns for closed buildings. (The … Continue reading

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Dec 05

Marshalltown gets its sign back

July 29, 2009: BGS for the left exit of US 65 NB from I-80 EB. The sign was removed when the I-80/US 65 exit was rebuilt and expanded. After the Great Renumbering of 1969 ended IA 64’s status as a … Continue reading

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Dec 04

Give me Liberty or give me…wait a minute

December 30, 2012: Scene from the parade on Beale Street a day before the 2012 Liberty Bowl. Will ISU fans overwhelm Memphis again for an underwhelming bowl assignment? Once Iowa State got bowl-eligible this season, hopes were high. A bowl … Continue reading

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Dec 01

DOT wants US 30 interchange at R70

Next Tuesday, the DOT will hold a meeting in Ames about closing off intersections on US 30 just east of I-35 in favor of an interchange. Substantial lengths of frontage road will have to be built in order to serve … Continue reading

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Nov 30

ISU’s 2017 season has parallels with 2005

December 31, 2005: Midfield of Reliant Stadium for the 2005 Houston Bowl between Iowa State and TCU. ISU lost the game 24-21 and finished 7-5; the following year, the regular season expanded to 12 games. Iowa State football is 7-5. … Continue reading

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