Iowa Department of Transportation

The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) is the government organization in the U.S. state of Iowa responsible for the organization, construction, and maintenance of the primary highway system. Located in Ames, Iowa, DOT is also responsible for licensing drivers and programming and planning for aviation, rail, and public transit. The organization was created in 1904 as the Iowa State Highway Commission, an extension of Iowa State College in Ames. In 1913, the commission was spun off from the college and became a government organization. In 1974, the highway commission was folded into a larger transportation department with other modes of transportation. Organization Transportation Commission The decision-making body of the Iowa DOT is the Iowa Transportation Commission. Seven people, of whom no more than four people can represent the same political party, make up the commission. Each member of the commission is nominated by the governor and confirmed by the senate for a four-year term. Each year, the commission creates a comprehensive transportation plan which identifies the transportation needs and creates programs to meet those needs. In addition, the commission promotes the coordinated and efficient use of all modes of transportation that are available, including public transportation, which benefit the state and Iowans.