"The Iowa Transportation Improvement Program (Program) is published to inform

Iowans of planned investments in our state’s transportation system.

The Iowa Transportation Commission (Commission) and Iowa Department of

Transportation (Iowa DOT) are committed to programming those investments in a

fiscally responsible manner.

This document reflects Iowa’s multimodal transportation system by the inclusion of

investments in aviation, transit, railroads, trails, and highways. A major component of

this program is the highway section that documents programmed investments on the

primary highway system for the next five years.

A large part of funding available for highway programming comes from the federal

government. Accurately estimating future federal funding levels is dependent on having

a current enacted multi-year federal transportation authorization. The most recent

authorization, Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy

for Users (SAFETEA-LU), expired September 30, 2009, and to date it has been

extended seven times because a new authorization has not yet been enacted. The

current extension will expire September 30, 2011. This leads to significant uncertainty

in federal funding; however, it is becoming evident that, in Federal Fiscal Year 2012

and beyond, federal funding revenue will likely be reduced by 25 percent from current

levels in order to match revenue that flows into the Highway Trust Fund. This Program

reflects this anticipated reduction in federal funding.

While Iowa law does not require the adoption of a Program when federal

transportation funding is being reauthorized, the Commission believes it is important to

adopt a Program in order to continue on-going planning and project development efforts

so that Iowa will be well positioned when a new authorization is adopted. However, it is

important to recognize that, absent a federal authorization bill, there is significant

uncertainty in the forecast of federal revenues. The Commission and the Iowa DOT will

continue to monitor federal revenues and will adjust future investments as needed to

maintain a fiscally responsible Program.

For 2012-2016, approximately $2.3 billion is forecast to be available for highway right of

way and construction. In developing the highway section of the Program, the

Commission’s primary investment objective remains stewardship (i.e. safety,

maintenance and preservation) of Iowa’s existing highway system. Over $1.3 billion

is programmed in FY2012 through FY2016 for preservation of Iowa’s existing highway

system and for enhanced highway safety features. The highway section also includes

significant interstate investments on I-29 in Sioux City, I-29/80/480 in Council Bluffs,

and I-74 in Bettendorf/Davenport. The FY2016 programming for construction on I-74

in Bettendorf/Davenport is the first of several years of significant investments that will

be monitored for available funding. Approximately $200 million of the investments

on these three major urban interstate projects address preservation needs. In total,

approximately $1.5 billion is programmed for highway preservation activities for 2012-

2016.

Another highway programming objective is maintaining the scheduled completion of

capacity and economic development projects. Projects that were previously scheduled

to be completed within the previous Program continue on their current schedule.

However, due to the reduction of projected federal revenues, the Commission has

delayed by one year the initiation of construction of all multi-year non-Interstate

capacity and economic development projects that cannot be completed within this

Program. These projects are U.S. 20 in Woodbury County, U.S. 30 in Benton County,

U.S. 61 in Louisa County, and Iowa 100 in Linn County.

The Iowa DOT and Commission appreciate the public’s involvement in the state’s

transportation planning process. Comments received personally, by letter or through

participation in the Commission’s regular meetings or public input meetings held around

the state each year, are invaluable in providing guidance for the future of Iowa’s

transportation system.

It should be noted that this document is a planning guide. It does not represent a

binding commitment or obligation of the Commission or Iowa DOT, and is subject to

change.

You are invited to visit the Iowa DOT’s Web site at iowadot.gov for additional and

regular updates about the department’s programs and activities."