Infrastructure Articles

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  When it comes to Iowa bridges, ‘there’s never enough money’

  During a routine bridge inspection in rural Johnson County this spring, inspectors made an unfortunate discovery. The bridge southwest of the city of Tiffin had structural damage.
• Iowa Ideas 2020 replay: Aviation

  After months of seeing significant passenger growth, Iowa's largest airports saw nearly 97% of commercial air travel screech to a halt. While cargo had been ticking upward, it can't cover the losses of commercial air travel. What impact will this mean for Iowa's airports? How long could it take to recover and what could this mean for the future ...
• Iowa Ideas 2020 replay: Access to Internet and Cell Communication

  While Iowa has had challenges with the digital divide for years, access to the internet has been crucial throughout the coronavirus pandemic. To be able to learn or sign up for your coronavirus test, communities and organizations around the state have had to come up with unique ways to provide access to those who didn't have access to the servic...
• Iowa Ideas 2020 replay: Make Your Vote Count

  Whether it's COVID, voting by mail, ID laws, legal challenges to process, Iowa voters are having to work through a number of changes to cast their ballots in 2020. There's also an unprecedented number of legal challenges, and open discussion about the legitimacy of the election, too. What do you need to do to make sure your vote counts? What lon...
• Iowa Ideas 2020 replay: Broadband and Cell Communications

  The widespread damage in the wake of Derecho 2020 brought cell phone technology and broadband internet to its knees across eastern Iowa. What can be done to increase resilience after a disaster like this? How much did the unforecasted nature challenge the response? Panelists Include: Carter Kramer, President & CEO, Cellsite Solutions; Steve ...
• Iowa Ideas 2020 replay: COVID-19 and Impacts on Travel Patterns

  Iowa saw huge changes in travel patterns, as Iowans worked from home during COVID. What does this change in patterns mean for roads, street funding, for tourism and local street projects? Will this be a temporary or longer-lasting situation? Panelists: Stuart Anderson, Director of Planning, Programming and Modal Division, Iowa Department of Tran...
• Iowa Ideas 2020 replay: Emergency Management Systems Response

  The COVID-19 and 2020 derecho have challenged Iowa's emergency management response plans, while many mutual aid partners were also impacted, and communication system challenges created logistical challenges. How does the derecho change the shape of emergency response in Iowa? Panelists include: Steve O'Konek, Linn County Emergency Management DIr...
• Iowa Ideas 2020 replay: Rural Storm Recovery

  The Derecho has created a pretty challenging scenario in rural counties this year, on top of trade issues, EPA exemptions and other challenges. With the derecho also putting a hard hit on grain storage, some co-ops will also have to scramble to find ways to safely store the grain being harvested in a few weeks time. Panelists: Mike Naig, Iowa Se...
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  Emergency officials begin to ask: What lessons can be learned from derecho?

  CEDAR RAPIDS - As the horrific winds of the Aug. 10 derecho began to die down, a new crisis was just unfolding for emergency managers: With an entire region's communications systems imperiled, how could they get a handle on how extensive of a calamity awaited their help? How emergency planners address that question in the after-action reviews th...
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  Iowa's digital divide is undeniable thanks to coronavirus

  DES MOINES — While Iowans aren't exactly zooming through the coronavirus pandemic, there's no question technology has been the linchpin for many to weather the disruptions, isolation and life changes that are as insidious and novel as the virus itself. Internet usage in Iowa has surged since COVID-19 arrived in the state and a national emergency...