Topics:

Traffic Safety and Engineering
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Intent of program

Solve traffic operation and safety problems on primary roads outside incorporated cities

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Who is eligible to sponsor?

Any Iowa county

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Qualifications for funding

The county must engineer and administer the project.  Improvements must involve a primary road outside any corporate limits.

The two types of projects eligible are spot improvements and linear improvements -

  • Spot improvements are those limited to single locations.  County match is 45 percent of the construction cost (55 percent is state funded).
  • Linear improvements are those for which a single spot improvement is inadequate.  County match determined by jurisdiction, as follows:
    • State retains jurisdiction upon completion of project – county match 70 percent
    • County accepts jurisdiction – county match 40 percent

An engineering analysis of the problem area is required.

  • The Iowa Traffic Engineering Assistance Program (TEAP) can be used for analysis.
  • A county engineer can provide the engineering analysis.
  • DOT’s Brown Design Manual can be cited for turning warrants when the request includes turning lanes.
  • The Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices has warrants for traffic signals.
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Type of submittal required

Letters of request with a sketch and cost estimate submitted by interested parties

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Application amount minimum/maximum

Maximum of $200,000 per project for spot improvements

Maximum on linear improvements as follows:

JurisdictionRehabilitationReconstruction
State retains$45,000 per mile$75,000 per mile
County accepts$90,000 per mile$150,000 per mile
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Application deadline

Letters of request accepted all year

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Special project requirements

DOT will review plans and specifications

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Type of approval required

DOT staff approval and selection

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Average length of time for acceptance decision

90 days

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More information/applications

The appropriate DOT district engineer

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