Iowa installing first automated interstate snow gates

Iowa's first automated interstate snow gates arrive this winter, hopefully solving problems most motorists never even contemplate.

State highway maintenance crews, when unable to cope with some of Iowa's worst blizzards, have resorted to creative measures to shut down I-35 near Mason City, a stretch of interstate that sees some of the worst conditions.

In the past, parking two snowplows across the interstate has been the favored method of blocking traffic, said Willy Sorensen, systems engineer for the Iowa Department of Transportation.

That poses two concerns. One is putting two snowplows in harm's way when they could be used for plowing snow. Second is the possibility of stranding motorists who tend to follow the snowplows onto the interstate.

A pilot project this winter will place remote-controlled snow gates across I-35 at exit 194, where motorists can get off the interstate, and on U.S. 18, the route most commonly used to reach I-35 from Mason City.

Sorenson said the gates are safer than snowplows because they will break away if struck. The remote-controlled feature will be activated at the interchange by a snowplow driver from inside the truck.

“You're just asking for trouble every time you leave the truck,” Sorenson said.

Caution lights will alert motorists when the gates are being closed, and a streetlight will illuminate the gates.

The gates, about $15,000 each, should be operational in January.