Urban-State Traffic Engineering Program (U-STEP)

The Urban-State Traffic Engineering Program (U-STEP) is administered by the Iowa Department of Transportation to address traffic operation and safety problems on primary roads within Iowa cities. The program is designed to provide state financial participation in projects that improve safety and traffic flow where municipal extensions of primary roads are involved. U-STEP reflects the Iowa DOT’s broader mission to enhance transportation safety and efficiency across the state’s roadway network by partnering directly with local governments to resolve documented problem areas through engineering-based solutions. The purpose of the program is to solve traffic operation and safety problems on primary roads in Iowa cities through targeted engineering improvements. Eligible projects must involve a municipal extension of a primary road and fall into one of two categories: spot improvements or linear improvements. Spot improvements are limited to a single location, while linear improvements span two or more intersections. The program emphasizes data-driven decision-making and requires an engineering analysis of the problem area. Cities may utilize the Iowa Traffic Engineering Assistance Program for support in conducting the necessary analysis. Funding is provided on a cost-share basis. The state will fund 55 percent of the construction cost, and the city is required to provide a 45 percent local match. The maximum funding amount per project is capped at 200,000 dollars for spot improvements and 400,000 dollars for linear improvements. The city must engineer and administer the project, ensuring local responsibility for project development, management, and compliance with Iowa DOT requirements. Additionally, all plans and specifications are subject to DOT review, reflecting a formal oversight component before implementation. Any Iowa city is eligible to request funding under U-STEP, provided that the project meets the program’s qualifications. Improvements must involve a municipal extension of a primary road, and the city must take responsibility for engineering and administration. The program does not specify restrictions beyond municipal eligibility and the required project types, but it clearly limits funding to projects located within Iowa cities and connected to primary roads. The application process requires interested parties to submit a letter of request that includes a sketch and cost estimate. Letters of request are accepted all year, making the program effectively rolling with no fixed annual deadline. Applications must be submitted to the appropriate Iowa DOT district engineer. Project approval requires DOT staff review and selection, and the average length of time for an acceptance decision is approximately 90 days from submission. The program does not specify a recurring annual cycle, as submissions are accepted continuously throughout the year.