Photos from the July 11th, 2008 meeting

DOT Commission Begins Planning for TIME-21 Revenues

Iowa DOT Commission and staff are considering potential projects for the use of an additional $188 million In TIME-21 monies to be incorporated into a revised 2009 to 2013 STIP (known commonly as the Five Year Plan). Discussions have begun and an allocation decision will be made at the Commission's October meeting. Projects being discussed for funding are:

U.S. 20 from N-14 to just west of U.S. 71 near Early - (2010-2012) $48.6 million for four-lane grading and paving

U.S. 30 from State Center to IA 330 - (2010) $18.2 million for four-lane grading and paving

U.S. 63 from IA 3 to IA 188 - (2010-2012) $30.8 million for four-lane grading and paving

U.S. 169 from Humboldt to Fort Dodge - (2010-2011) $15.4 million for safety improvements

These projects would consume approximately $113 million of the funds available. Therefore, additional projects can be added to the list and a large number of candidates exist.

US 20 Corridor Association members should contact IDOT Commissioners and staff to urge them to keep funding for the US 20 expansion from Sac City to Early within the list of projects being considered. Association members should also urge them to consider right of way purchases and some limited construction on the remaining 44 miles of two-lane US 20 from Early to Moville.

U.S. 20 widening gets federal grant

The project to move U.S. Highway 20 from two to four lanes in western Iowa received a federal grant of $451, 290 Wednesday.
Click the link to read the entire article:
http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/

Iowa DOT Commission Approves New Five Year Plan

At their meeting in Coralville on June 10, 2008, the Iowa DOT Commission approved the Draft Five Year Transportation Improvement Plan which includes very good news for four-lane US 20 in western Iowa. As a result of this commitment, US 20 will be four-lane from Dubuque to Sac City by 2012.

In addition, the DOT Commission will begin consideration of how to program additional revenues expected to be generated by Iowa's TIME 21 legislation. By legislative directive, these funds are to be programmed with priority given to Access Iowa Highways session law which states all cities of 20,000 or greater population be connected by four-lane highways. Fort Dodge and Sioux City are the only two cities meeting this description that aren't connected by a four-lane highway. TIME 21 further gives priority to serving Iowa's emerging biofuels production industry which also favors four-lane US 20.

This chart details four-lane US 20 projects programmed in the new Five Year Plan.

Group expects more money for 20
State foresees TIME-21 plan increasing funds for roads

By BILL SHEA, Messenger staff writer
POSTED: May 10, 2008

A group pushing for a four-lane U.S. Highway 20 all across Iowa has high hopes for a new multiyear construction plan now being drafted.

That's because talks with state transportation officials have indicated that there will be more money than expected for road projects.

Neil Volmer, director of planning and programming for the Iowa Department of Transportation, said Friday afternoon that the new TIME-21 law will be the source of that money. He didn't have an estimate of how much new money would be available for the 2009-2013 plan.

Legislators have said the law would raise $160 million over 10 years for state, city and county roads. The law increased vehicle registration and drivers' license fees. TIME-21 stands for Transportation Investment Moves the Economy for the 21st Century.

For the rest of the article, click this link:
http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/505553.html

Grundy County campground inches closer to completion
BY JOSH NELSON, COURIER STAFF WRITER

DIKE --- The groups of fishermen gathered along the shores of the Grundy County Lake may be getting some more company this summer.

A proposed 64-site campground yards away from the lake is finally moving toward completion after years of delays. Grundy County Conservation Board officials expect the grounds to be open by August, barring any more delays from the weather.

"This whole thing is exciting for our program," said Kevin Williams, conservation board director.

The 255-acre lake park was created as a by-product of the expansion of U.S. Highway 20. The Iowa Department of Transportation deeded the land to the conservation board in 2000. Since then, the board has been at work expanding the park and rounding out the rest of the amenities.

For the rest of the article, click this link:
http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2008/05/10/news/regional/10323964.txt

Saturday, May 10, 2008 6:25 AM CDT
Heartland Acres celebrates first year of success
BY JOSH NELSON, COURIER STAFF WRITER

INDEPENDENCE --- One at a time, the group of Independence second-graders gripped a wooden handle and tried to spin the big stone slab.

White powder and yellow corn shells poured out of the circular grindmill as the students learned a little more about what goes into making cornbread.

"Take your turn. Better get your muscles going," said Leanne Harrison, assistant program director at Heartland Acres Agribition Center.

"It's hard," one of the students replied.

The second-grade class toured Heartland Monday, the latest addition of more than 30,000 people to visit the site and its attached convention center next door. Heartland celebrates its first anniversary this month.

A large map on the wall is marked with white dots on the various places from which those folks have visited.

Forty-six states are marked so far, including Hawaii and Alaska. There are also pins in places like Finland, Australia, Fiji, Namibia and Brazil. The list goes on.

For the rest of the article, click this link:
http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2008/05/10/news/metro/10323959.txt

Governor Culver Signs Bill Aimed At Securing Iowa's Transportation Future
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 22, 2008

DES MOINES - Today, Governor Chet Culver signed Senate File 2420, which will secure new funding for Iowa's transportation system.

"As Governor, one of my top priorities has been to build on Iowa's strengths in education, manufacturing and agriculture and financial services to create jobs in every corner of the state," said Governor Culver. "The good news is the jobs are coming, but we must have the infrastructure in place to keep pace and grow our economy. Today, we're taking another essential step toward doing just that."

Senate File 2420 was based on the recommendations of the Transportation Moves the Economy in the 21st Century (TIME-21) Commission, which were presented last year. The commission was created following a Department of Transportation study that showed Iowa would be $28 billion short of the projected $67 billion needed to modernize Iowa's transportation infrastructure.

The new legislation increases registration and title fees on vehicles beginning on January 1, 2009. However, the fee increase will not affect current pick-up truck owners in Iowa.

SF 2420 is projected to raise more than $160 million a year by 2013. Collected fees will be deposited in the TIME-21 Fund, which was created last year. 60% of these dollars will be used to fund primary roads, with another 20% used for secondary roads, and the final 20% to be used by city governments to fund road projects on the local level.

IMPORTANT FACTS RELATED TO TIME-21 LEGISLATION
• FACT: Establishes a dedicated funding mechanism for the TIME-21 fund, with 60% of revenue distributed to primary roads, 20% for secondary roads, and 20% for local governments.

• FACT: Constitutionally protects registration fees for Iowans, ensuring these dollars will be used to fund the construction, maintenance, and supervision of public roads and highways.

• FACT: Current pick-up truck owners will not be affected by the legislation and their fees will remain at the current level.

• FACT: Will not raise Iowa's Gas Tax.

• FACT: Is projected to raise more than $160 million a year by Fiscal Year 2013 for Iowa's roads and transportation infrastructure.

US 20 work in Calhoun and Webster Counties begins

The Iowa Department of Transportation's Cherokee Construction Office has approved work to resume on four existing projects and begin on two new projects in Calhoun County to set a new alignment for U.S. 20. Work will include grading from Zearing Ave. (approximately two miles east of Knerim) west 12.7 miles.

The six separate projects, being accomplished by four contractors, will be underway as weather permits. The contractors working in this area are Kevin Kent Construction, Steger Construction, C.J. Moyna and Sons and Mathers Construction. The combined total for all bids was nearly $13 million.

The construction project is not expected to have a major impact on traffic, but motorists are urged to use caution with increased truck traffic and construction equipment present in this area.

New DOT Commission Nominees Named

Governor Chet Culver nominated two prospective candidates to the Iowa DOT Commission on March 17, 2008.

Debi Durham, president of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce since 1995, also serves as President of The Siouxland Initiative, the economic development corporation serving the tri-state metropolitan area, and the Siouxland Chamber Foundation.

Debi currently serves on the Chamber Alliance Board of Directors, Iowa Regional Workforce Investment Board, Iowa Women in Public Policy Board, Orpheum Theatre Preservation Board of Directors, Girls, Inc. Board of Directors, and is on the Executive Committee for the Sioux City Events Center Project. Debi was named to the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame in 2003.

Durham holds a degree in business administration, marketing and management from Missouri Southern State University. She and her husband, Joel, are the parents of two children and active in church activities as well.

Amy L. Reasner is an attorney at Lynch Dallas, P.C. in Cedar Rapids where she practices in the areas of business and commercial litigation, insurance defense, collective bargaining, contract administration and labor arbitration, employment counseling and risk avoidance, employment litigation, ERISA litigation, OSHA compliance and enforcement, trade secret and non-competition, and family law.

Amy is a graduate of the University of Iowa Law School. She participated in the Moot Court Board as editor and received the Iowa Bar Association Graduating Senior Award. In Cedar Rapids, she was part of the 2005-2006 Leadership for Five Seasons program of the Chamber of Commerce. Amy was recognized as one of the 40 under 40 Community Leaders in 2007 by the Corridor Business Journal. She was previously a broadcast journalist in Cedar Rapids as well.

Other associations Amy has been involved in include Planned Parenthood of East Central Iowa, Linn County Trails Association, Iowa Legal Aid, Junior League, Rotary Club, and League of Women Voters.

Suzan Boden of Sioux City and Barbara MacGregor of Mason City are concluding their final term on the Iowa DOT Commission.

Congressionally Directed Funding Requests Submitted

The US 20 Corridor Association has been working with Members of Congress from Iowa on Congressionally Directed Funding Requests over the last two weeks. Formerly known as earmark requests, these applications have been sent through Senator Grassley, Senator Harkin, and Congressman King's offices. The requests are for funds to assist with construction activities along the two-lane section of US 20 in Webster, Calhoun, Sac, Ida, and Woodbury Counties.

Grade Four, Pave Four Effort for Webster and Calhoun

At a meeting with representatives of the US 20 Association and Siouxland Chamber on March 7, Iowa DOT Director Nancy Richardson told the group the Commission was hoping to find $10 million additional in the upcoming Five Year Plan to pave all four lanes of relocated US 20 from Moorland to Iowa Highway 4 near Rockwell City. Initial plans were for all four lanes to be graded but only two paved in the current plan. The Director, Commissioners, and staff realize the efficiencies of paving all four graded lanes immediately.

Rich Michaelis Retired - Tony Lazarowicz, P.E Named District 3 Engineer

Rich Michaelis recently retired from the Iowa DOT where he served as District 3 Engineer based in Sioux City. In that role, Rich had significant responsibility in the four-lane US 20 project in western Iowa. Tony Lazarowicz has been named to succeed Rich. Tony has been an assistant engineer in the District 3 office and is very familiar with our project and the US 20 Corridor Association. Tony attended our last US 20 Association meeting where we welcomed him and told him we look forward to working with him on the completion of this project.