Iowa Department of Transportation
Encyclopedia
In the U.S. state
of Iowa
, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is the state government organization responsible for the organization, construction, and maintenance of the primary highway system. Located in Ames
, the DOT is also responsible for licensing drivers and programming and planning for aviation, rail, and public transit.
The organization was created in 1904 as the Iowa State Highway Commission, an extension of Iowa State College in Ames. In 1913, the commission was spun off from the college and became a government organization. In 1974, the highway commission was folded into a larger transportation department with other modes of transportation.
, make up the commission. Each member of the commission is nominated by the governor and confirmed by the senate
for a four-year term. Each year the commission creates a comprehensive transportation plan which identifies the transportation needs and creates programs to meet those needs. In addition, the commission promotes the coordinated and efficient use of all modes of transportation that are available, including public transportation, which benefit the state and Iowa
ns.
of the department. Reporting to the director are the deputy director, the bureau of policy and information, the bureau of transportation safety, the bureau of management, the general counsel division, and the divisions listed below. The director's duties are chiefly administrative, but he or she does have an important role in government. The director works with the commission to create transportation policy and transportation plans. By December 31, he or she must present the next year's budget to the commission of their approval. By January 15, the director must submit a report to the Iowa General Assembly
"describing the prior fiscal year's highway construction program, actual expenditures of the program, and contractual obligations of the program."
drivers, including commercial and chauffeur's licenses
. The division regulates height and weight restrictions and handles licensing and titling
for all vehicles.
passed an act which created the Iowa State Highway Commission (IHC). Originally, the IHC was a part of Iowa State College where engineering dean Anson Marston was the first highway commissioner. The commission had a biennial budget of $7,000 ($, adjusted for inflation). The commission's first home was in Engineering Hall at ISC, known today as Marston Hall. The IHC's first task was to study Iowa's problematic roads; at the time, less than 2% of which had been improved with gravel or broken stones. While Iowa's dirt roads were fine roads when dry, they were impassibly muddy when wet. This work was done by the staff which included H.M. Bainer, J.T. Hoover and Thomas Harris MacDonald
(who later became Commissioner of Public Roads for the Federal Government. For the next ten years, the commission served as an information agency, showing county supervisors the best ways to build and construct roads.
In 1913, the Iowa State Highway Commission was spun off from Iowa State College. The newly-independent IHC's first task was to eliminate the price gouging
that was occurring across the state. Private supply and bridge companies had divided the state into monopolistic
areas where they could charge the county boards of supervisors unusually high prices for needed supplies. The commission was also given supervisory control over the public road system, although each county was still in charge of managing their road system.
In 1974, the 65th Iowa General Assembly
reorganized the highway commission into a larger Department of Transportation with other modes of transportation. The larger department was an effort to create a more balanced transportation system.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is the state government organization responsible for the organization, construction, and maintenance of the primary highway system. Located in Ames
Ames, Iowa
Ames is a city located in the central part of the U.S. state of Iowa in Story County, and approximately north of Des Moines. The U.S. Census Bureau designates that Ames, Iowa metropolitan statistical area as encompassing all of Story County, and which, when combined with the Boone, Iowa...
, the DOT is also responsible for licensing drivers and programming and planning for aviation, rail, and public transit.
The organization was created in 1904 as the Iowa State Highway Commission, an extension of Iowa State College in Ames. In 1913, the commission was spun off from the college and became a government organization. In 1974, the highway commission was folded into a larger transportation department with other modes of transportation.
Transportation Commission
The decision-making body of the Iowa DOT is the Iowa Transportation Commission. Seven people, of whom no more than four people can represent the same political partyPolitical party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
, make up the commission. Each member of the commission is nominated by the governor and confirmed by the senate
Iowa Senate
The Iowa Senate is the upper house of the Iowa General Assembly. There are 50 members of the Senate, representing 50 single-member districts across the state with populations of approximately 59,500 per constituency. Each Senate district is composed of two House districts...
for a four-year term. Each year the commission creates a comprehensive transportation plan which identifies the transportation needs and creates programs to meet those needs. In addition, the commission promotes the coordinated and efficient use of all modes of transportation that are available, including public transportation, which benefit the state and Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
ns.
Director
The Iowa DOT is administered by the director, currently Paul Trombino III. The director is appointed by the governor to serve as the chief administrative officerChief administrative officer
A chief administrative officer is responsible for administrative management of private, public or governmental corporations. The CAO is one of the highest ranking members of an organization, managing daily operations and usually reporting directly to the chief executive officer. In some companies,...
of the department. Reporting to the director are the deputy director, the bureau of policy and information, the bureau of transportation safety, the bureau of management, the general counsel division, and the divisions listed below. The director's duties are chiefly administrative, but he or she does have an important role in government. The director works with the commission to create transportation policy and transportation plans. By December 31, he or she must present the next year's budget to the commission of their approval. By January 15, the director must submit a report to the Iowa General Assembly
Iowa General Assembly
The Iowa General Assembly is the legislative branch of the state government of Iowa. Like the federal United States Congress, the General Assembly is a bicameral body, composed of the upper house Iowa Senate and the lower Iowa House of Representatives respectively...
"describing the prior fiscal year's highway construction program, actual expenditures of the program, and contractual obligations of the program."
Highway division
The highway division is the most visible division in the Iowa DOT. The division is responsible for designing highways, acquiring rights of way, building and maintaining the interstate and primary highway systems. It is divided into six regional districts, each of which responsible for building and maintaining state roads in each respective area of the state.Planning, programming, and modal division
The planning, programming, and modal division is an umbrella group which houses the other modes of transportation. The planning and research division is responsible for compiling statistical transportation data and assessing the financial impacts of legislation and programs upon the state.Motor vehicle division
The motor vehicle division is responsible for licensingDriver's license
A driver's license/licence , or driving licence is an official document which states that a person may operate a motorized vehicle, such as a motorcycle, car, truck or a bus, on a public roadway. Most U.S...
drivers, including commercial and chauffeur's licenses
Driver's license in the United States
In the United States, nearly all driver's licenses are issued by individual states , rather than the federal government. Drivers are normally required to obtain a license from their state of residence, and all states recognize each other's licenses for temporary visitors subject to normal age...
. The division regulates height and weight restrictions and handles licensing and titling
Title (property)
Title is a legal term for a bundle of rights in a piece of property in which a party may own either a legal interest or an equitable interest. The rights in the bundle may be separated and held by different parties. It may also refer to a formal document that serves as evidence of ownership...
for all vehicles.
Districts
Iowa is divided into six transportation districts:| District | Headquarters | Counties |
|---|---|---|
| District 1 | Ames Ames, Iowa Ames is a city located in the central part of the U.S. state of Iowa in Story County, and approximately north of Des Moines. The U.S. Census Bureau designates that Ames, Iowa metropolitan statistical area as encompassing all of Story County, and which, when combined with the Boone, Iowa... |
Boone, Greene, Grundy, Hamilton, Hardin, Jasper, Marshall, Polk, Poweshiek, Story, Tama, and Webster |
| District 2 | Mason City Mason City, Iowa Mason City is the county seat of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States. The population was 28,079 in the 2010 census, a decline from 29,172 in the 2000 census. The Mason City Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Cerro Gordo and Worth counties.... |
Allamakee, Black Hawk, Bremer, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Hancock, Howard, Humboldt, Kossuth, Mitchell, Winnebago, Winneshiek, Worth, and Wright |
| District 3 | Sioux City Sioux City, Iowa Sioux City is a city in Plymouth and Woodbury counties in the western part of the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 82,684 in the 2010 census, a decline from 85,013 in the 2000 census, which makes it currently the fourth largest city in the state.... |
Buena Vista, Calhoun, Carroll, Cherokee, Clay, Crawford, Dickinson, Emmet, Ida, Lyon, Monona, O'Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Sac, Sioux, and Woodbury |
| District 4 | Atlantic Atlantic, Iowa Atlantic is a city in and the county seat of Cass County, Iowa, United States, located along the East Nishnabotna River. The population was 7,112 in the 2010 census, a decline from the 7,257 population in the 2000 census. -History:... |
Adair, Adams, Audubon, Cass, Dallas, Fremont, Guthrie, Harrison, Madison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, Ringold, Shelby, Taylor, and Union |
| District 5 | Fairfield Fairfield, Iowa Fairfield is a city and the county seat of Jefferson County, Iowa, United States. The population was 9,464 in the 2010 census, a decline from 9,509 in the 2000 census. - History :... |
Appanoose, Clarke, Davis, Decatur, Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lee, Louisa, Lucas, Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, Muscatine, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Washington, and Wayne |
| District 6 | Cedar Rapids Cedar Rapids, Iowa Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in Iowa and is the county seat of Linn County. The city lies on both banks of the Cedar River, north of Iowa City and east of Des Moines, the state's capital and largest city... |
Benton, Buchanan, Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, Iowa, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and Scott |
History
In 1904, the Iowa General AssemblyIowa General Assembly
The Iowa General Assembly is the legislative branch of the state government of Iowa. Like the federal United States Congress, the General Assembly is a bicameral body, composed of the upper house Iowa Senate and the lower Iowa House of Representatives respectively...
passed an act which created the Iowa State Highway Commission (IHC). Originally, the IHC was a part of Iowa State College where engineering dean Anson Marston was the first highway commissioner. The commission had a biennial budget of $7,000 ($, adjusted for inflation). The commission's first home was in Engineering Hall at ISC, known today as Marston Hall. The IHC's first task was to study Iowa's problematic roads; at the time, less than 2% of which had been improved with gravel or broken stones. While Iowa's dirt roads were fine roads when dry, they were impassibly muddy when wet. This work was done by the staff which included H.M. Bainer, J.T. Hoover and Thomas Harris MacDonald
Thomas Harris MacDonald
Thomas Harris "Chief" MacDonald was an American civil engineer and politician with tremendous influence in building the country's interstate highway system...
(who later became Commissioner of Public Roads for the Federal Government. For the next ten years, the commission served as an information agency, showing county supervisors the best ways to build and construct roads.
In 1913, the Iowa State Highway Commission was spun off from Iowa State College. The newly-independent IHC's first task was to eliminate the price gouging
Price gouging
Price gouging is a pejorative term referring to a situation in which a seller prices goods or commodities much higher than is considered reasonable or fair. In precise, legal usage, it is the name of a crime that applies in some of the United States during civil emergencies...
that was occurring across the state. Private supply and bridge companies had divided the state into monopolistic
Monopoly
A monopoly exists when a specific person or enterprise is the only supplier of a particular commodity...
areas where they could charge the county boards of supervisors unusually high prices for needed supplies. The commission was also given supervisory control over the public road system, although each county was still in charge of managing their road system.
In 1974, the 65th Iowa General Assembly
Iowa General Assembly
The Iowa General Assembly is the legislative branch of the state government of Iowa. Like the federal United States Congress, the General Assembly is a bicameral body, composed of the upper house Iowa Senate and the lower Iowa House of Representatives respectively...
reorganized the highway commission into a larger Department of Transportation with other modes of transportation. The larger department was an effort to create a more balanced transportation system.