Author Archives: Jeff

Jul 28

Pottawattamie County supervisor plan goes up for vote

Posted on Friday, July 28, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

On August 1, Pottawattamie County is going to find out if its current county supervisors plan is going to change. The county currently has five supervisors elected on an at-large basis. The groups that led the petition drive to change … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Pottawattamie County supervisor plan goes up for vote
Jul 27

MMMFW

Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

I have explored the most infamous headline in Iowa history: “Manly Man Marries Fertile Woman.” Read, like, subscribe, etc. over at my Substack.

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on MMMFW
Jul 25

Tama-Toledo RAGBRAI maps available

Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

July 23, 2008: Riders enter Tama on RAGBRAI XXXVI. Tama-Toledo is again a host community this year. RAGBRAI will be going from Des Moines to Tama-Toledo on Thursday, and highs are expected to be in the upper 90s. By the … Continue reading →

Posted in Tama County | Comments Off on Tama-Toledo RAGBRAI maps available
Jul 24

Sandblasting, new paint for Winding Stairs

Posted on Monday, July 24, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

July 9, 2023: Crop of a picture of the Winding Stairs, before cleaning. On July 16, Traer’s iconic Winding Stairs had a refreshment. It wasn’t a drink, but a full-on sandblast followed by a new coat of paint. The North … Continue reading →

Posted in Tama County | Comments Off on Sandblasting, new paint for Winding Stairs
Jul 21

Here comes the I-35 flyover ramp

Posted on Friday, July 21, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The “Stage 3A” plan for the northeast mixmaster includes this sign on eastbound I-80. The present gantry has the BGS for the left exit on I-35 with a 45 mph limit. What has been perhaps Iowa’s most notorious left-hand interstate … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on Here comes the I-35 flyover ramp
Jul 19

Boone portion of US 30 has freeway potential

Posted on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The DOT had a public meeting June 23 about long-term plans to convert US 30 between Boone and the Lincoln Way exits into a full freeway. This is in keeping with plans to do the same on 30 between Ames … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on Boone portion of US 30 has freeway potential
Jul 17

A new place to publish

Posted on Monday, July 17, 2023, at 7:00 AM by Jeff

The Iowa Writers’ Collaborative has expanded again, this time picking up someone you might be familiar with: Me. My Substack is named Between Two Rivers. This blog isn’t going anywhere. Posts will continue to appear, though I’m not sure on what … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on A new place to publish
Jul 14

Notes on 2024-28 DOT five-year plan: Polk County

Posted on Friday, July 14, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Final segment of the 2024-28 construction plan, approved last month: A segment of I-80 east of the northeast mixmaster to US 65, with construction in 2025-27, is mistakenly labeled as I-35 again this year. There is a separate line for … Continue reading →

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Jul 12

Notes on 2024-28 DOT five-year plan: I-80

Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Continuing analysis of the 2024-28 five-year plan: Completion of the Council Bluffs Interstate System project is forecast to wrap up in 2024, with construction at both the I-29/I-480 interchange and the I-80 Madison Avenue exit. I-80 east of US 169 … Continue reading →

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Jul 10

Notes on 2024-28 DOT five-year plan

Posted on Monday, July 10, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Yes, very delayed, for reasons. The Iowa Transportation Commission approved the latest five-year road construction plan in June. Its press release covers the biggest points, but I want to look deeper into some of them, especially the bigger-dollar projects. Years … Continue reading →

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