Author Archives: Jeff

Jun 09

On the LightLine Bridge

Posted on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

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.

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on On the LightLine Bridge
Jun 05

IA 136 bridge to close for months

Posted on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

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

Posted on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

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)

Posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

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 →

Posted in License Plates | Comments Off on License Plate Letters — PPP (and new education plate)
May 23

Lansing bridge closed until further notice

Posted on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

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)

Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

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

Posted on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

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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May 08

Circumnavigation detour: State lines

Posted on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

In my circumnavigation report I split off a story dedicated to oddities in Iowa’s state borders. Did I put “Day 5 1/2” on here? If not, despite being 11 months old, it’s new to you!

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous, Trip Reports | Comments Off on Circumnavigation detour: State lines
May 06

Multiple IA 14 detours in Grundy County

Posted on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

It’s going to be hard to get from US 20 to US 30 in Grundy and Marshall counties this spring — and more is on the way. As of Monday, the highway has a major closure between IA 175 and … Continue reading →

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May 02

Who wants chili and cinnamon rolls?

Posted on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Iowa schoolkids, and former schoolkids, want chili and cinnamon rolls. I even looked up old lunch menus for a story about this Marion Historical Society fundraiser.

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Who wants chili and cinnamon rolls?