Des Moines police are investigating the city's fourth traffic-related fatality of 2024, the third involving a motorcycle, after a crash between a motorcycle and a Jeep at an intersection. The rider, a 41-year-old man, was critically injured and later died at a local hospital. The preliminary investigation suggests a failure to yield and excessive speed may have contributed to the collision. This incident adds to the 58 traffic-related deaths in Iowa this year, 15 fewer than at the same point in 2023.
The Iowa Department of Transportation and Iowa State Patrol are implementing "Safety Corridors" along Iowa's deadliest highways in an effort to reduce the number of fatal crashes, which are currently 13 percent higher than average. The Safety Corridors will feature larger road markings and signs to increase driver awareness and encourage safe driving practices. Law enforcement will be actively patrolling these areas to enforce traffic laws and ensure compliance. The Safety Corridors are located on various highways across the state.
The Iowa Department of Transportation used controlled explosives to remove the remaining parts of the old I-74 bridge over the Mississippi River, temporarily closing certain areas including the new bridge. The demolition was done in two phases, with the first phase completed in June. The new bridge, built to accommodate increased traffic volume, was opened in December 2021 and cost approximately $1 billion.
Iowa's new mobile ID app is now available for download for Apple and Android users, although it cannot be used in the real world just yet. The Iowa Department of Transportation is soft-launching the app and plans to formally launch it in the next month. Businesses will need to download a separate app or system to verify the IDs, and users will have to check with businesses or look for the Iowa Mobile ID logo before using the app. The app is considered an acceptable form of ID by the state of Iowa and can be used in situations where a physical ID is required, but users are advised to keep their physical ID as a backup, especially for air travel.
Half of the historic I-74 bridge in Bettendorf, Iowa was demolished using controlled explosives, with over a thousand spectators in attendance. The new I-74 bridge was temporarily closed for safety during the demolition process. The old I-74 bridge was officially out of service as of December 3, 2021, and no official date has been released regarding the demolition of the remaining parts of the bridge.
A man died in a motorcycle crash in Polk County, Iowa, on Friday night. Emergency crews tried to save him, but he died at the scene. The Polk County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident. According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, 127 people have died on Iowa roads so far this year, with an average of 338 fatalities per year over the last five years.
