Iowa DOT's policy is to be
sensitive to the environment
and foster and enhance
environmental stewardship.

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Presents

ROCKS AND ROADS

TOP

Unit 3: Why isn't the highway straight?

C.  Who takes care of the highways?

The largest and longest highways are called interstate highways, and they are taken care of the state departments  of transportation (DOTs).  State DOTs also take care of U.S. highways and state highways.  Counties take care of county roads, and cities take care of city streets.  In addition to paved roads, there are thousands of gravel roads all over the state.  In fact, over most of the state there is some type of road every mile - both north-south and east-west.

Taking care of roads includes plowing snow in the winter and cutting grass alongside the road in the summer.  Paved roads need to have joints sealed 
and patched.  Gravel roads need to have fresh gravel placed on them periodically.  When you think about all the roads in Iowa, that's a lot of work!