Author Archives: Jeff

Dec 11

License Plate Letters — DXY

It looks like the state of Iowa will come close to using up four letters’ worth of plates in a span of three years and three months. There are a few stragglers out there whose county offices didn’t check the … Continue reading

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Dec 10

Chambers Ford Bridge is doomed

October 30, 2015: The Chambers Ford Bridge west of Belle Plaine has been closed to traffic for years. It consists of spans built in 1890 and 1903. No buyers came forward for the Chambers Ford Bridge over the Iowa River … Continue reading

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Dec 09

Forevergreen Road plans out, including six-lane I-380

The plan for construction of an I-380 exit at Forevergreen Road in North Liberty is out. It includes upgrading I-380 to six lanes under Forevergreen but narrowing to two to the north. South of there, I-380 will be six-laned as … Continue reading

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on Forevergreen Road plans out, including six-lane I-380
Dec 08

Bloomington Road bridge is a goner

August 24, 2013: The Bloomington Road bridge over Big Creek in Linn County is part of the Lincoln Highway loop route through Marion. Linn County had it taken down at the end of 2015. As previously noted, a classic truss bridge in … Continue reading

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Bloomington Road bridge is a goner
Dec 07

Iowa’s second diverging diamond planned for Ankeny

Last week, shortly after the first diverging diamond interchange in Iowa opened in Dallas County, the Iowa DOT released plans for a second interchange of that style, also in the Des Moines metro area. The DOT has multiple maps and … Continue reading

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Dec 04

Politico: Iowa still matters

As the Iowa caucuses get nearer, so too does criticism about the state’s role in the presidential process. But Colin Woodard, whose research has divided much of North America into 11 “nations,” writes in Politico that Iowa’s settlement heritage makes … Continue reading

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous, Maps | Comments Off on Politico: Iowa still matters
Dec 03

Great River Road near Montrose open again

The Keokuk Daily Gate City reports that River Road (County Road X28) south of Montrose reopened about 10 days ago. The road had been closed since July because of a slide, and a temporary fix has been applied.

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on Great River Road near Montrose open again
Dec 02

North Liberty comes around on ‘Highway 965’

September 28, 2014: “Highway 965” appeared on detour signs on I-380 because that’s the street’s official name, for now at least. Iowa Highway 965 was born in 1985, running between the south side of Cedar Rapids and Coralville when US 218 … Continue reading

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on North Liberty comes around on ‘Highway 965’
Dec 01

Race to replace Kraig Paulsen just got interesting

Kraig Paulsen resigned as speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives earlier this year and he will not run for re-election in his suburban Cedar Rapids seat. An election to replace a former speaker is interesting in its own right, … Continue reading

Posted in Maps | Comments Off on Race to replace Kraig Paulsen just got interesting
Nov 30

Iowa’s first diverging diamond interchange opens Tuesday

The I-80 interchange at Alice’s Road Grand Prairie Parkway between Waukee and West Des Moines is scheduled to open Dec. 1, the Des Moines Register reports. The interchange is a diverging diamond, where traffic temporarily runs on the left side … Continue reading

Posted in Construction, Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Iowa’s first diverging diamond interchange opens Tuesday