Author Archives: Jeff

Jan 14

‘Visioning survey’ for southernmost part of US 151

Posted on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

There’s only about a 25-mile segment of US 151 in Iowa that isn’t four lanes, but that segment has raised concerns about its safety. There are no turn lanes, and sometimes the line of sight isn’t great. One possibility is … Continue reading →

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Jan 09

The year in vibes, as written on my Substack

Posted on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

My year-ender is partially my most-read pieces of 2024 (though not detailed beyond that), partially some election analysis, and partially committing myself to some sort of USA 250th anniversary project. If you need some background on why the vibes were … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on The year in vibes, as written on my Substack
Jan 06

Rundown of TSIP grants for fiscal 2026

Posted on Monday, January 6, 2025, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

A month ago, the Iowa Transportation Commission approved fiscal year 2026 grants for the Traffic Safety Improvement Program. I worked on a Substack piece that ran the week afterward. The best part was that six days after the press release, … Continue reading →

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Jan 02

Dear Politico: That is NOT Waterloo, Iowa

Posted on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

On New Year’s Eve, Politico released a collection of anecdotes from the 2024 campaign trail. It’s called either “What I saw on the fearful road to Trump’s (second) victory” (the title shown in the tab) or “The Ground Is Shifting in … Continue reading →

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Dec 30

License Plate Letters — PCC

Posted on Monday, December 30, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

I better end the year marking where Iowa is in its license plate issuances, but I have the feeling I’m behind. Regardless, this at least shows that Iowa has entered the P’s, after assigning the O series that it did … Continue reading →

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Dec 27

Roundabout to be built in Holstein

Posted on Friday, December 27, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

At the Iowa Lincoln Highway Association chapter meeting this fall, someone said he heard that some semi drivers are avoiding US 20 in northwest Iowa, even though it’s now a four-lane road, because of limited slowdowns at Correctionville and Lawton. … Continue reading →

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Dec 24

Kenyon Road bridge reopens

Posted on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The Kenyon Road viaduct/bridge in Fort Dodge has reopened after rehabilitation work. KCCI has a story on it because there were rumors on social media that it was “shaking”. Ditto the Fort Dodge Messenger. The city’s website has a completion … Continue reading →

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Dec 19

US 30 corridor completed

Posted on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

I wrote about this Thanksgiving week and didn’t get around to plugging it here. You might also have read it in the Marshalltown Times-Republican, North Tama Telegraph, AND Tama-Toledo News-Chronicle. (I get paid in exposure, unless you’re one of my paid Substack … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on US 30 corridor completed
Dec 16

North Tama dropping to 8-man football

Posted on Monday, December 16, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

A pretty much expected decision happened last month. After spending multiple cycles as the smallest public school in Iowa by BEDS numbers playing 11-man football, North Tama will drop to 8 going forward. (Story: North Tama Telegraph.) About half of the opponents … Continue reading →

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Dec 11

Army Post Road roundabout approved

Posted on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

It’s not IA 5 anymore, but Army Post Road remains an important arterial on Des Moines’ south side. This week the Des Moines City Council approved $3 million for the city’s third roundabout, which will be at East Army Post … Continue reading →

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