Budget shortfall prompts Iowa DOT closures

The Iowa Department of Transportation is reducing its overall staff numbers, shutting down driver’s license stations and closing rural maintenance garages after the state Legislature provided a lower-than-requested budget increase during its 2016 session.

"I think people will feel or see that impact as we work through the year," said DOT Director Paul Trombino. He said people will have to travel farther to get to driver's license stations and it will take longer to clear snow from some roads.

The department will leave 67 positions empty by 2018, which will create staffing shortages statewide. As a result, DOT will close two driver’s license stations in Spencer and Carroll as well as seven maintenance garages in Akron, Centerville, Corning, Gowrie, Rock Valley, Sabula and Soldier.

That means residents of Carroll will have to drive more than an hour to Fort Dodge or Ames to find the nearest DOT-run driver’s license station. Spencer residents will have to drive close to two hours to reach Fort Dodge or Sioux City. There are numerous county driver’s license stations that are closer, but those stations don’t always offer the full range of services provided at the DOT stations. The closures will become effective Sept. 1.

Read more: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/education/university-of-iowa/2016/07/13/university-iowa-jane-meyer-field-hockey-lawsuit-layoff/87033506/