Category: 2012 Announcements

The Iowa Department of Transportation's District 2 Office and the Iowa State Patrol are asking for assistance from ice fishing anglers on the Mississippi River parking along Iowa 26 in Allamakee County.Vehicles parked on the shoulder of Iowa 26 north of Lansing can interfere with snow removal operations. Snowplow drivers end up leaving a bank of snow alongside the vehicles parked on the shoulder that cannot be cleared until the vehicles are moved. This can cause unsafe driving conditions for those leaving their fishing spots, as well as others traveling on Iowa 26.  Whether winter precipitation is in the forecast, still falling or has yet to be cleared from the road, parking along the shoulder of Iowa 26 should be avoided. Instead, the Iowa DOT and ISP are asking anglers…

All UERPC offices will be closed on December 24th and 25th for the Christmas holiday. We hope all our partners have a safe and enjoyable holiday season!

In advance of forecasted blizzard conditions in the state, the Iowa Department of Transportation is advising motorists that travel across the majority of Iowa is not advised from 8 p.m. tonight through noon Thursday, Dec. 20. The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning beginning at 6 p.m. tonight and continuing through 6 p.m. Thursday. In addition to heavy snowfall of 6 to 10 inches, very strong northwest winds (25-35 mph, with gusts exceeding 45 mph) will produce considerable blowing and drifting of snow and blizzard conditions late tonight through Thursday afternoon. The heaviest snow axis will be along a line from Atlantic to Dubuque. The lowest amounts are expected near the Missouri border. Snow drifts several feet deep will be possible given the strong winds. Visibility at times…

With the anticipation of a busy holiday travel weekend approaching, the Iowa Department of Transportation is cautioning drivers that the first major winter storm of the season may hamper some travel plans.Storm severity will vary depending on location. The National Weather Service is predicting 5 to 8 inches of snow along a line from Atlantic through Boone to Waterloo, with isolated instances of 10 inches possible. Rain is expected in southern Iowa along a line from Bedford to Oskaloosa. In between, a rain/snow mix is expected. All precipitation is expected to change to snow overnight Wednesday before ending Thursday morning. Winds are expected to become very strong Wednesday night from the north/northwest. Sustained winds of 25 to 33 mph are expected, with gusts of 45 mph or more possible. The…

A combination of winter weather, impaired drivers and other factors have proven deadly on Iowa highways during past Thanksgiving holiday weekends.Over the last decade, traffic fatality data shows the Thanksgiving holiday (Wednesday noon to midnight Sunday) as having the highest number of highway fatalities of the six different holiday periods tracked by the Iowa Department of Transportation. In the last two years, 12 people were killed in traffic crashes over the extended weekend, four of those fatalities involved crashes with impaired drivers.While even one death on Iowa roadways is too many, a number of factors have combined to make 2012 one of the lowest on record for Iowa traffic fatalities. To continue the trend, there are several steps people can take to make the roads safer throughout the holiday season.…

A local team of economic development, transportation, and employment specialists are currently conducting a survey about employment transportation in Northeast Iowa.  The goal is to get a better understanding of current employment transportation options and needs. The team is looking for responses from employees, employers and job seekers that live or work in any of these Iowa counties: Allamakee, Winneshiek, Howard, Fayette, and Clayton. The survey can be found below. If you know of someone that would want to complete the survey, but does not have computer access, a paper version is available. Please contact Karn Pankow, Operations / Mobility Manager at NEICAC to request one. Email: karn@neicac.org or phone: 1-866-382-4259. This survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete. Responses will be accepted Nov 1 - 18, 2012.…

The Iowa departments of Transportation, Education and Public Safety are joining the National Association for Pupil Transportation in promoting National School Bus Safety Week Oct. 22-26, 2012. Motorists can expect heightened traffic enforcement directed toward persons who illegally pass stop school buses during this period. The theme for this year's educational campaign is "I See the Driver. The Driver Sees Me!" It is derived from the national school bus safety poster contest held in 2011.The purpose of the annual safety week is to educate students, parents/caregivers, bus drivers, educators and motorists about the importance of school bus safety and measures they can take to decrease injuries and fatalities. Each year, more than 800 students nationally are killed going to and from school. In Iowa, there were 207 school bus-related crashes…

Be a "walk star" by participating in International Walk to School Day Wednesday, Oct. 3. This fun, healthy, no-cost event encourages everyone - students, parents, teachers, community members and organizations - to get out on sidewalks and trails. Participating with school children emphasizes the importance of increasing physical activity, teaching pedestrian safety, showing concern for the environment, reducing traffic congestion; and building connections between families, schools and communities. This year's International Walk to School Day is expected to draw participation from 5,000 schools from all 50 states. Walkers will unite with children and adults in 40 countries around the world. This event is an opportunity for families with children who typically ride a school bus, but live in areas with bike-friendly paths to school, to try walking and bicycling to school. If…

Officials with the Iowa Department of Transportation remind campaigners of the statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to the placement of political campaign signs in the state. A section of the Iowa DOT's website is devoted to answering the most frequently asked questions about legal posting of such signs - www.iowadot.gov/iowaroadsigns/pol_sign_info.html "We realize that most sign violations are the result of efforts of ardent campaign supporters who are unfamiliar with the laws. Therefore, the Iowa DOT has prepared information to be used as a guide for political candidates, party chairs, campaign workers and election officials, to help them become acquainted with the laws before this year's signs are posted," said Iowa DOT spokeswoman Dena Gray-Fisher. The Iowa DOT is urging individuals to visit the website or speak to their political headquarters…

Saturday, August 25, 2012The Turkey River Recreational Corridor is excited tocelebrate the Grand Opening of Phase I ofThe Turkey River Land Trail! 9:00 a.m.—Fun walk, run or bike from Clermont & Elgin10:00 a.m.—Grand Opening Ceremony11:00 a.m.—Turkey River Turkey DashRefreshments following Location: The new pedestrian bridge located next to theValley Bridge Canoe Access #62 on Canoe Road (County Hwy W51) Parking available at the Valley School parking lot.Purchase a turkey for just $5.00 for your chance to win greatprizes during the Turkey Dash race on the Turkey River.Tickets are available at the Fayette County EconomicDevelopment office and Elkader City Hall.