Author Archives: Jeff

Jun 01

License Plate Letters — LUX

“Fiat Lux” — “Let there be light,” the motto of the University of California system “Fiat Slug” — “Let there be slug,” the non-motto of the University of California-Santa Cruz, home of the squishiest mascot in college sports. No focus … Continue reading

Posted in License Plates | Comments Off on License Plate Letters — LUX
Jun 01

Business 30 in Mount Vernon-Lisbon: Yes or no?

When the Mount Vernon-Lisbon US 30 bypass opened without any signs indicating a Business 30, I figured the DOT had simply decided against one. Either I was wrong or someone’s mind changed. The spring 2020 meeting of the American Association … Continue reading

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Business 30 in Mount Vernon-Lisbon: Yes or no?
May 30

Urbana roundabout construction begins Tuesday

May 16, 2017: This curve at the west end of old IA 363 is going away. On Tuesday, following the Memorial Day weekend, part of IA 150 will be closed to build a roundabout at the Urbana corner, according to … Continue reading

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May 25

Notes on 2023-27 highway plan

(I almost typed 1923-27. Shows how much I’m looking into that era right now.) The Iowa Transportation Commission’s five-year plan is out, with a font change, mixed-case type, comma separators, no mileages listed (again!) and occasionally a more informal style … Continue reading

Posted in Construction, Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Notes on 2023-27 highway plan
May 23

Marion-area construction updates

An update and new notice (via a weekend roadgeek meet) about projects near Marion: Linn County’s oldest active bridge is going to be replaced, as this blog post covered earlier. But there’s good and interesting news: The bridge isn’t being … Continue reading

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May 20

North Tama plans revealed during building tour

It’s happening? Maybe? After a few votes and an extra $31 million? Whatever the step or two is after “commencing to proceed to get started,” that’s where North Tama is right now in a master plan that would radically alter … Continue reading

Posted in Schools, Tama County | Comments Off on North Tama plans revealed during building tour
May 18

More about Mount Ayr Community schools, 1957-61

October 17, 2021: The chimney of the Beaconsfield school building is visible at a distance. It’s about all that’s readily visible up close, too, because the deteriorating building is hidden in a grove of trees. In a follow-up to this … Continue reading

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May 16

US 63 closure scrambles routes to Traer

Starting next week, according to a DOT press release, US 63 will be closed between IA 8 and IA 96. It’s for a (very needed) asphalt resurfacing project and discussed more in this blog post. Toledo-Gladbrook traffic is fine, but … Continue reading

Posted in Construction, Tama County | Comments Off on US 63 closure scrambles routes to Traer
May 11

$4.049

May 19, 2004: My first encounter, but not first payment, of $2 gas in Iowa was at this station at the Lime Springs corner on US 63. I managed to avoid that mark for another 10 months. I’ve been keeping … Continue reading

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May 09

IA 8 in Tama County to close for months

Hey, remember this post? I didn’t! But now it’s here: Starting today, IA 8 between Traer and IA 21 is closed through at least late July for culvert construction (news tip: KCRG). The official detour is D65 through Buckingham. The closure … Continue reading

Posted in Construction, Tama County | Comments Off on IA 8 in Tama County to close for months