Iowa is the agricultural hub of America and one of the nation’s top manufacturing leaders. That’s because hardworking Iowans show up before sunrise, load the truck, and move what Iowa makes to every corner of the country and around the world.
But none of that happens without the roads and bridges that keep Iowa moving.
What’s new: We helped secure $24 million in federal funding to reconstruct seven critical bridges across Iowa, including one in Lucas County. Several of these bridges had already reached the end of their service life — making it harder for farmers to get crops to market, delaying emergency responders, and forcing families and businesses to take lengthy detours. ⬇️
Why it matters: When a bridge closes in rural Iowa, the truck doesn’t stop making the trip — it just takes longer. The farmer hauling grain adds miles to every load, while more traffic on the routes that are left slows everyone else down. Counties like Lucas have long known these bridges needed to be rebuilt, but projects of this size often exceed what local budgets can support. That’s where the federal partnership makes a difference: rebuilding critical farm-to-market infrastructure, strengthening Iowa’s supply chain, improving public safety, and keeping rural communities connected.
The big picture: This project began at the local level. County engineers and community leaders identified the need, and seven Iowa counties came together with a plan. We worked to secure the $24 million federal investment needed to help make it a reality — building on the more than $3.5 million we’ve already delivered this year for local infrastructure projects across Iowa.
Bottom Line: Iowa can’t grow, build, or sell what it can’t move. I’ll keep fighting to bring Iowa’s tax dollars home to invest in the roads, bridges, and infrastructure our farmers, manufacturers, small businesses, and communities depend on every day.