Iowa Department of Public Safety
215 East 7th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
www.dps.state.ia.us

Colonel Patrick J. Hoye, Chief

TRAVEL INFORMATION FOR 2012 FARM PROGRESS SHOW

Boone County, IOWA --- The Iowa State Patrol is preparing for the 2012 Farm Progress Show and asking Iowans to do the same! The show runs from Tuesday, August 28th through Thursday, August 30th, 2012 and will be held at the permanent site located along Iowa 17, just north of U.S. 30 in Boone County. Organizers anticipate 20,000 vehicles will travel to Boone County each day, with an attendance nearing 200,000 during the three-day event.

The Iowa Department of Transportation and the Boone County Engineer’s Office are working in conjunction with a private traffic control company to erect signs clearly marking the travel routes for visitors attending the show. In addition Troopers from the Iowa State Patrol will be working intersections along the route to ensure traffic moves in a safe and efficient manner. Motorists traveling to and from the event along these routes are reminded to expect slow traffic and delays, obey all traffic laws, pay attention to signs, flashing lights and always follow officers’ directions. Unless it is an emergency, motorists should avoid stopping on the traveled portion of the roadway to ask officers questions. The key to safe and efficient traffic flow with minimal delays will be a cooperative effort between the motoring public and law enforcement.

Find your best travel route to the Farm Progress Show!

With a traffic increase of this magnitude some delays should be expected near the Farm Progress Show site.  Highways most likely to be affected will be Interstate 35 near Ames, U.S. 30 between Ames and Boone, Iowa 17 near Boone, as well as some county roads near the site location.  State Troopers expect travel times to be heaviest from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM, and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.  Please also note that some roads in the Boone County area may be closed for traffic control and safety.

The Iowa State Patrol and organizers of the Farm Progress Show are sensitive to the needs of local residents.  To avoid congested roadways and substantial delays, Boone County residents are encouraged to use alternate routes during peak traffic periods.

Suggested Travel Routes for Visitors to the Farm Progress Show

Coming from the North on Interstate 35:
Take Interstate 35 to exit 111. Take U.S. 30 west to Highway 17 and turn right (north).  Continue north on Highway 17.  Troopers will direct you to parking from here.

Coming from the South on Interstate 35:
Take Interstate 35 to exit 111. Take U.S. 30 west to Highway 17 and turn right (north).  Continue north on Highway 17.  Troopers will direct you to parking from here.

Coming From the West on U.S. 30:
Take U.S. 30 to Iowa 17.  Then turn left (north) on Iowa 17.  Troopers will direct you to parking from here.

Coming From the East on U.S. 30:
Take U.S. 30 to Highway 17 and turn right (north).  Continue north on Highway 17.  Troopers will direct you to parking from here.

Coming From the North on Iowa 17:
Take Iowa 17 to the north side of the exhibit field.  Look for two visitor parking lot entrances.  Troopers will direct you to parking from here.

Coming From the South on Iowa 17:
Continue north on Highway 17.  Troopers will direct you to parking from here.

Coming From the South on U.S. 169:
Take U.S. 169 north to U.S. 30. Take U.S. 30 east to Iowa 17. Take Iowa 17 north to the west side of the exhibit field.  Look for three visitor parking lot entrances.  Troopers will direct you to parking from here.

Exhibitors/Vendors, V.I.P., Buses and Campers:
These attendees should use the pre designated route and parking area, provided to them by the Farm Progress Show.

Potential Road Closures near the Farm Progress Show

The following roadways/intersections may be closed temporarily August 31st through September 2nd from 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM and from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM.

• Iowa 17 from U.S. 30 to 210th Street will be closed to local traffic and will be one way traffic for Farm Progress Show, during peak traffic periods.
• 210th Street at the junction of Iowa 17.
• T–Avenue south of 210th Street.
• Eastbound Mamie Eisenhower at R Avenue.

Roadways Likely to See Large Increase in Traffi

• U.S. 30 between Ames and U.S. 169 (both directions)
• Iowa 17 near Boone (both directions)
• Interstate 35 near Ames (both directions)
• U. S. 169 near U.S. 30
• County Road E - 26 in Boone County
• County Road R - 38 in Boone County
• County Road T - Avenue in Boone County
• 210th  Street east of Boone
• 220th Street east of Boone

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