Traffic enters and exits the U.S. 30 Expressway leading to two-lane U.S. 30 just east of Tama on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 23. A Department of Transportation public meeting concerning the two-lane stretch from Tama to Iowa Highway 21 near the Tama-Benton county line will be on March 3 at the Reinig-Toledo Civic Center. News-Herald/John Speer

By John Speer

Editor

jspeer@tamatoledonews.com

It’s been a while, but another Iowa Department of Transportation meeting on proposed improvements to U.S. Highway 30 from the present end of the Expressway just east of Tama to near the Tama-Benton county line at Iowa Highway 21 is scheduled for Thursday, March 3. The public can attend any time between 5-6:30 p.m. at the Reinig-Toledo Civic Center, 1007 Prospect Dr.

There’s about 30 miles of U.S. 30 from Tama eastward to U.S. Highway 218 in Benton County which is two lanes. Planning and land acquisition for the 15 miles of the roadway in Benton County is reported underway.

The portion of the highway has been eyed since opening of the Expressway from Marshalltown to Tama in 2010.

At earlier DOT?informational meetings proposed routes for the Expressway from Tama eastward have included routes north, south and on the currnet route. DOT officials indicated they favored construction of four new lanes north of the present route because it would be completed more quickly and more safe because traffic flow would be a factor.

Heath Kellogg, Tama County Economic Development executive director and officials of Tama Premium have publicly urged the improvements are needed.

Here afre details of the upcoming meeting:

The meeting will be conducted utilizing an open forum format. Iowa DOT staff will be present to informally discuss the proposed improvements. No formal presentation will be made.

The meeting space is accessible for persons with disabilities. However, if you require special accommodations at the meeting, please notify the Iowa DOT contact listed below by Feb. 29.

For general information regarding the proposed improvements or public meeting, contact Tony Gustafson, P.E., assistant district engineer, Iowa DOT District 1 Office, 1020 S. Fourth St., Ames, Iowa 50010, phone 515-239-1635 or 800-899-0623, email tony.gustafson@dot.iowa.gov.