by Iowa Department of Transportation
Exploring the people, projects, and progress behind Iowa’s transportation system. Roadside Chat is the official podcast of the Iowa Department of Transportation. Hosts take you behind the scenes of Iowa’s transportation network. From roads and bridges to licenses and public transit, each episode answers your questions, spotlights Iowa DOT experts, and explores the innovations that keep Iowans moving safely.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
10/22/2025
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July 8, 2026
<p>In this seventh episode of Roadside Chat, hosts Jenny Butcher and Daniel Yeh sit down with two leaders from the Iowa DOT’s Motor Vehicle Division: <strong>Mary Demuth</strong>, Public Service Manager, and <strong>Charles Cunningham</strong>, Service Delivery Bureau Director, to explain how Iowa's personalized license plate process works.</p><p><br></p><p>They cover:</p><ul><li>Types of license plates in Iowa</li><li>The most popular specialty license plates in Iowa</li><li>Why personalized license plate requests may be denied</li></ul><ul><li>How to request and preview a personalized plate</li><li>What Iowa law says about acceptable plate messages</li><li>How questionable or offensive plates are reviewed</li><li>Why license plates play an important role in public safety</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Resources</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://iowadot.gov/registration-plates/license-plates" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Order specialty and personalized license plates</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRZ-HeuKLvA&t=238s" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Bumper Stumpers game show</a></li></ul>
June 5, 2026
<p>In this sixth episode of Roadside Chat, hosts <strong>Jenny Butcher</strong> and <strong>Daniel Yeh</strong> explore Iowa’s rest areas and truck parking system with <strong>David Bolabaugh</strong>, Public Service Supervisor for Iowa DOT Rest Areas, and <strong>Adrienne Knight</strong>, Transportation Planner with the Iowa DOT. Together, they discuss the services Iowa’s rest areas provide today and the plans underway to improve them for future travelers.</p><p><br></p><p>They cover:</p><ul><li>How Iowa’s 38 full-service rest areas and 12 parking-only facilities support travelers and truck drivers.</li></ul><ul><li>Amenities available at Iowa rest areas, including restrooms, Wi-Fi, vending areas, picnic spaces, and adult changing stations.</li></ul><ul><li>The unique educational themes and local history featured at rest areas across the state.</li></ul><ul><li>Why truck parking is essential for safety and how rest areas provide a safe place to rest.</li></ul><ul><li>Rules for overnight parking and why drivers should stop when they feel fatigued.</li></ul><ul><li>The importance of reporting suspicious activity and helping keep rest areas safe for everyone.</li></ul><ul><li>How Iowa DOT plans for future rest area improvements and replacements.</li></ul><ul><li>Major projects underway, including upgrades in Onawa and Cedar Rapids.</li></ul><ul><li>The growing need for truck parking and plans to add more than 200 additional truck parking spaces statewide over the next 20 years.</li></ul><ul><li>How travelers can use the Iowa 511 app to locate rest areas and parking facilities before hitting the road.</li></ul><p><strong>Resources: </strong></p><ul><li>Iowa 511: <a href="https://511ia.org/">511ia.org</a></li><li><a href="https://iowadot.gov/modes-travel/roads-highways/maintenance/rest-areas" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Iowa DOT Rest Areas</a></li></ul><p></p>
March 30, 2026
<p>In this fifth episode of Roadside Chat, hosts <strong>Debbie McClung</strong> and <strong>Daniel Yeh</strong> tackle a question many Iowans ask each spring: why does it seem like construction season never ends? They’re joined by <strong>Frank Leong</strong>, District Construction Engineer for central Iowa, to explain what really goes into planning and delivering major highway projects.</p><p><br></p><p>They cover:</p><ul><li>Why some highway and bridge projects take multiple years from planning to completion.</li><li>The extensive planning process that happens long before construction begins.</li><li>How environmental reviews, historic preservation, and public input shape project design.</li><li>Why much of the most important construction work happens underground and out of sight.</li><li>How weather conditions can delay work and affect construction timelines.</li><li>Why projects must be carefully phased to keep traffic moving safely through work zones.</li><li>How the Iowa DOT works with contractors who build the roads while DOT teams oversee quality and safety.</li><li>The scale of projects managed each year across central Iowa, including road, bridge, drainage, and lighting improvements.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Resources: </strong></p><ul><li>Iowa 511: <a href="https://511ia.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">511ia.org</a></li><li><a href="https://iowadot.gov/modes-travel/roads-highways/major-construction-projects/des-moines-area-interstate-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Des Moines Interstate Projects website</a></li><li><a href="https://iowadot.gov/modes-travel/roads-highways/major-construction-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Major Construction Projects Website</a></li><li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/dsminterstates" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">DSM Interstates Facebook Page</a></li></ul><ul> </ul><p></p><ul> </ul><p></p><ul> </ul><p></p><p></p>
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Exploring the people, projects, and progress behind Iowa’s transportation system.
Roadside Chat is the official podcast of the Iowa Department of Transportation. Hosts take you behind the scenes of Iowa’s transportation network. From roads and bridges to licenses and public transit, each episode answers your questions, spotlights Iowa DOT experts, and explores the innovations that keep Iowans moving safely.
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