Author Archives: Jeff

Jul 17

Turn, turn, turn

May 30, 2003: The standard right-turn lane to Atkins is no longer sufficient for traffic needs. From the category of “construction projects that should have happened a decade ago but didn’t,” there are two little ones that could provide big … Continue reading

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Jul 11

Entire Boyson Road interchange to close for 20 days

KCRG reports that Boyson Road at I-380 will be closed for weeks starting Monday. There does not appear to be a corresponding press release on the Iowa DOT’s site. KCRG says it’s for “20 working days” so that’ll be four weeks. … Continue reading

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Jul 08

Key Lincoln Highway point in Cedar Rapids opens as roundabout

As of last Thursday, based on a press release from the city of Cedar Rapids, a devil’s circle roundabout has opened downtown at Mount Vernon Road SE/10th Street SE/8th Avenue SW. This intersection is where the “cutoff” for the Lincoln … Continue reading

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Jul 03

US 30 changing in Grand Island area

In 2016, construction prevented me from clinching US 30 in Nebraska. Then, in 2023, a new four-lane 30 opened from the north side of Fremont to Columbus. (Contrary to expectations in my blog post, a truck relief route in Blair … Continue reading

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Jun 27

License Plate Letters — PTA

An easy musical cue for this one:

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Jun 24

Plucked Peacocks and other TV station notes

While doing Lincoln Highway research for Nebraska, I discovered that Elm Creek, a town along US 30, replaced its 100-year old school in 2022-23… …and had an amazingly well-preserved time capsule*… …and then I looked into what “NTV” was — … Continue reading

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Jun 19

Circumnavigation report Day 7

My circumnavigation series continues entirely along Iowa’s southern border down to Keokuk.

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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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