Tag: Iowa construction

Construction Equipment

Heavy equipment simulators helping contractor recruiting efforts in North Iowa

Projecting construction positions to be among some of the best paying jobs over the next five years, groups in Iowa are working to attract more new blood to the industry with the help of equipment simulators. According to a report from KIMT TV, a partnership between Iowa Workforce Development, Iowa Works, Hawkeye Community College and […]

March 14, 2016

Roadbuilding

Sticking Point: Endangered cacti cause rerouting of road construction in Iowa

The plans for a road set to be built in Iowa had to be changed recently because of endangered cacti growing along the planned route. The Sioux City Journal reported the Iowa Department of Natural Resources decided to accept a plan to build around the field south of Sioux City to protect the more than 100 bigroot prickly pear cactus plants […]

October 20, 2015

Construction Equipment

Man waves machete at construction crew over equipment blocking Iowa road

An Iowa man angered by construction near a roadway was arrested and accused of threatening a forklift operator with a machete. According to a report from the Iowa City Press-Citizen, 44-year-old Jeremy J. Mulvaney was driving on the afternoon of September 4 when he came upon a construction site near an intersection. Police say he became “upset […]

September 23, 2015

Safety

Worker killed in trench collapse on Iowa jobsite

A worker was killed on an Iowa jobsite was killed last week in a trench accident. According to a report from the Des Moines Register, an unidentified worker about 10 feet deep inside a trench in Fort Dodge when it collapsed on top of him. The man worked for Fort Dodge-based Riley-Armstrong Plumbing & Heating. He was pronounced […]

August 19, 2015

Roadbuilding

Worker run over by SUV inside cemetery work zone after telling driver to turn around

A construction worker on a resurfacing project in Iowa said he was intentionally hit by a motorist recently when he told the driver to turn around upon nearing the work zone. According to a report from KCCI TV, 49-year-old Andrew Robinette was working on a road resurfacing project the afternoon of June 29 inside a Des […]

July 13, 2015

Safety

Despite harnesses, 2 workers killed by fall from scaffolding in Iowa

Two workers are dead as the result of a fall from scaffolding on an Ames, Iowa jobsite. According to a report from Iowa State Daily, 35-year-old Javier Hernandez and Alfredo Jarez, unknown age, were killed while working on the construction of a luxury apartment complex for students at Iowa State University. Ames Police officers responded to […]

June 29, 2015

Roadbuilding

Iowa Transportation Commission approves state transportation improvement program with $3.2 billion for highways

The Iowa Transportation Commission (ITC) has signed off on the fiscal year 2016-2020 Iowa Transportation Improvement Program, which includes a forecast of $3.2 billion in highway right of way and construction projects. The Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) proposed the plan in early May. “The Commission and Iowa DOT continue to recognize the critical importance […]

June 15, 2015

Success Stories

This “crazy diverse” Iowa contractor thrives on doing work that other companies shun

“I knew from high school I wanted to be a contractor,” says Jeff Pettiecord. So he started doing small remodeling jobs shortly after graduating, and eventually started his company in 1984. But it was the early 1980s and times were tough. “I literally chased fire trucks,” Jeff recalls. He’d call on the owners of the fire-damaged […]

June 2, 2015

Roadbuilding

Cedar Rapids launches 10-year, $180 million paving improvement program

In yet another example of how transportation project funding is becoming more localized, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, recently released a 10-year plan for road improvements. The plan will cost $180 million and will be funded by a 1-cent local option sales tax that began collecting in July last year. Dubbed “Paving for Progress”, the plan will […]

May 28, 2015

Roadbuilding

Iowa DOT launches website offering location of major road projects

The Iowa Department of Transportation has made finding and avoiding major roadwork a little easier for drivers in the state. The DOT launched a website that provides drivers with information about the location of major construction projects in the state that affect traffic, according to a release from the department. The website features an interactive […]

May 21, 2015

Roadbuilding

Iowa DOT plans $3.2 billion in highway projects through FY 2020

The Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) proposes $3.2 billion in highway right of way and construction projects in its draft fiscal Year 2016-2020 Iowa Transportation Improvement Program presented to the Iowa Transportation Commission (ITC). The ITC will meet June 9 in Council Bluffs to consider approving the program plan. The public can post comments on it […]

May 14, 2015

Roadbuilding

Iowa DOT planning $700 million in state, interstate highway projects for 2015

The Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) is planning $700 million in state and interstate highway projects this year, representing a record amount spent by the department, which is made possible by the gas tax increase approved earlier this year. The gas tax increase of 10 cents per gallon will create an additional $33 million in […]

April 21, 2015