Category Archives: Construction

Jul 16

Ames flyover ramp has to be redone

An engineering miscalculation will mean much longer construction time for the flyover ramp from northbound I-35 to westbound US 30, KCCI reports. (Warning: Not only does the video autoplay, it stops when you scroll down!) The tops of the support … Continue reading

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Jul 02

Even with grant, historic bridge replacement too expensive

A closed connection in Iowa’s Great River Road looks like it will remain that way, and perhaps permanently. The Iowa DOT offered $1.5 million to the city of Burlington to go to repairs of the Cascade Bridge, but the city … Continue reading

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Jun 12

Sabula ferry service offered

Starting today, the Iowa DOT is offering “complimentary vehicular/passenger ferry service” across the Mississippi River from Sabula to Savanna. This would last at least through the summer because of the delays in construction of the overflow bridge. There’s also a … Continue reading

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Jun 06

Current bypass philosophy, 61 corridor interests at odds

As late guests to the state’s bypass party, Mediapolis and Wapello are the beneficiaries of about 25 years of such work — or, depending on your point of view, the victims. The “preferred alternative” for a four-lane US 61 from … Continue reading

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May 31

Meeting June 5 on US 30-IA 21 interchange

The project to four-lane US 30 between Tama and US 218 has four components. The upgrade to four lanes in each county are separate pieces, on slightly different timetables. The interchange with US 218 should start any time. The middle … Continue reading

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May 22

Wapello bypass plans finalized

Louisa County became the 61st county in the state to have a rural four-lane highway segment when last year’s upgrade to US 61 opened from the Muscatine County line to south of Grandview. Now, as part of the last step … Continue reading

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May 15

Notes on 2019-23 DOT program

The DOT released its newest five-year plan (large PDF) last week (stories: Gazette, Register) and the completion of two decade-long projects is in sight. Others have slight tweaks to their schedules or funding is being shifted around a bit in fiscal … Continue reading

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May 14

Sabula overflow bridge closed longer

Those 3 1/2 months the new US 52 Mississippi River bridge was open are going to have to last a while, because construction nearby is getting worse. KWQC reports that because of drilling issues on replacement of the overflow bridge, … Continue reading

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May 01

I-74 bridge construction on schedule

KWQC has an update for the beginning of construction season, along with a video that shows piers up and roadbed being laid on the Iowa side. In order for more piers to be put up, the US 67 exit will … Continue reading

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Apr 24

Highway 20. This year. Seriously. We mean it.

June 25, 2006: For more than half a century, the 1½ mile fraction of a four-lane US 20, mostly with US 59, stood alone surrounded by two-lane roads. I put a photo of the other end of this segment with … Continue reading

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