Author Archives: Jeff

Jun 17

Clinton construction project takes out 1931 concrete

In 2019, a construction project on the west side of Clinton sealed off an old routing of US 30 that retained original concrete. Now another project in the same area is obliterating historic concrete altogether. Reconstruction of Manufacturing Drive started … Continue reading

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Jun 13

Black Hawk bridge reopens

The IA 9/WI 82 Black Hawk Bridge across the Mississippi River at Lansing reopened Monday after being closed since May 17. The Iowa DOT said in its press release that another long-term closure is expected this summer and the water … Continue reading

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Jun 11

Big US 30/US 169 closure in Boone County

The interesting part of the DOT press release about the closure of US 30 west of Ogden starting Monday is that it mentions a concrete overlay project instead of the usual asphalt overlay. But if you live anywhere in the area, … Continue reading

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Jun 09

On the LightLine Bridge

My Substack column for May 3 questions the utility of the Alliant Energy LightLine bridge south of downtown Cedar Rapids once its original goal, using part of the abandoned Rock Island Railroad bridge, turned out to be infeasible.

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Jun 05

IA 136 bridge to close for months

Starting Monday, the IA 136 bridge over the Mississippi River will be closed until November. The Iowa DOT just says “repairs” in the press release and uses Google Maps to show the detour. KROS Radio in Clinton says it’s for … Continue reading

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Jun 03

Cyclone Tailgate Tour recap

Cedar Rapids was one of the evening stops for the Cyclone Tailgate Tour, and that meant longer time for the event, and I just happened to be sitting at the table with the family that got a shoutout and won … Continue reading

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May 27

License Plate Letters — PPP (and new education plate)

It’s triple time again! We’re up to, and already past, two-thirds of the way through the P’s. I’m still seeing D’s and E’s out there that either got accidental reprieves or will be replaced next year. Elsewhere in license-plate-land, a … Continue reading

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May 23

Lansing bridge closed until further notice

The IA 9/WI 82 bridge at Lansing has been closed again. The bridge was closed starting May 17 after one of the existing bridge’s piers moved. This isn’t the first time this has happened during construction of the bridge’s replacement … Continue reading

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May 20

Boyson Road bridge flip today (maybe)

The reconstruction of the Boyson Road exit on I-380 takes another step today. Part of the new bridge for the diverging diamond interchange has been built. Today and tomorrow — maybe — traffic will be switched to this bridge so … Continue reading

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May 13

Circumnavigation report Day 6

The entire corner of southwest Iowa was explored in one day in 2015, with enough time to catch a football game.

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