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Iowa Department of Transportation officials have unveiled a $3.4 billion plan to support roadway and bridge projects over the next five years.

The Interstate 74 bridge replacement, a tandem project of the Iowa and Illinois departments of transportation, will increase capacity and facilitate mobility on an important corridor that links the two states.

State transportation officials hope Iowa’s first freight plan will provide the guidelines necessary to manage a growing industry of airplanes, trains and semi-trailers.

After threatening to slash $9.7 million from the Iowa Department of Transportation’s operating budget, the state’s Legislature voted April 29 to slice that figure in half to $4.85 million before adjourning for the year.

Iowa’s Department of Transportation, with a $352 million operational budget, is making do with 2,699 employees — fewest in its 42-year history. And yet, in the wake of last year’s 10 cents-per-gallon fuel-tax increase, the Republican-controlled State House voted to remove $9.7 million, nearly 3%, from IDOT’s budget.

Put down your phone while driving, you will, or to the Dark Side it will lead.

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has signed a bill that raises state diesel and gasoline taxes by 10 cents per gallon as of March 1.