Category Archives: Construction

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

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May 02

US 30 coalition unhappy with Super-2 plan

Central and eastern Iowa counties that are not on the present four-lane section of US 30 are very determined to get on it, and won’t take any half-measures. From “The Center Square”, a news organization focused on “state- and local-level … Continue reading

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Apr 29

IA 25 project will remove US 32 concrete

The last part of the White Pole Road between Anita and Adel under state control is losing its original concrete, but it hasn’t been visible for more than a quarter-century. A 2-mile segment of IA 25 between Casey and Menlo … Continue reading

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Apr 27

Newton bridge replacement going nowhere slowly

Iowa Highway Commission blueprints from 1926 show plans for a bridge at North 4th Avenue East across Elk Creek. A tiny, nearly-century-old bridge on the east side of Newton has no firm replacement plans despite being closed for years. The … Continue reading

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Apr 25

Floyd intersection gets stoplights for construction

August 5, 2017: This intersection of southbound US 218 at the US 18/IA 27 four-lane in Floyd is being turned into an interchange. The Avenue of the Saints is getting another stoplight, but it’s only going to be around for … Continue reading

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Apr 22

Old 20 concrete in Jesup staying in place

The original turn of US 20 in Jesup became so accident-prone after the highway was paved in 1922 (as IA 5) that the Highway Commission had a special project to create a curve in the road in 1929. That curve, … Continue reading

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Apr 15

North Liberty breaking up Dubuque Street again

Dubuque Street in Johnson County might seem like an exception to the rule of city-named streets in rural areas going to the city in question. The first route between Iowa City and Dubuque, Dillon’s Furrow, is along the IA 1 … Continue reading

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Apr 04

Elkader Keystone Bridge undergoing major rehab

The Keystone Bridge in downtown Elkader is the town’s only bridge across the Turkey River except for the IA 13 bypass. The bridge closes to vehicular traffic today for a rehabilitation project. Work is expected to last until October. The … Continue reading

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Apr 01

Anyone want to buy a bridge (again)?

July 22, 2015: The “Hardin City Bridge” is not in its original location. Marker at top of entrance on the other side says “Western Bridge Works, Fort Wayne, Ind., 1879.” The Chambers Ford Bridge in southeast Tama County was offered … Continue reading

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Mar 30

Tama still looking for contract on Lincoln Highway bridge

July 7, 2013: A pickup crosses the Lincoln Highway bridge on the east end of Tama. The concrete letters are more than a century old. The Lincoln Highway bridge in Tama has moved to its third round of bids for … Continue reading

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