{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://nunn.house.gov/2026/08/03/nunn-secures-500000-federal-investment-for-new-highway-141-interchange-in-johnston/", "Nunn Secures $500,000 Federal Investment for New Highway 141 Interchange in Johnston", "2026-08-03", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Zachary Nunn", "N000193", "nunn.house.gov", "nunn", "https://nunn.house.gov/category/news/press-releases/", "scraper", "\u201cJohnston has been one of the fastest-growing communities in Iowa for more than a decade, and our infrastructure needs to keep pace,\u201d said Rep. Nunn. \u201cAnyone who drives Highway 141 knows these intersections were never designed for the traffic they carry today. This investment helps eliminate dangerous crossings, improves emergency response times, eases congestion for thousands of commuters, and better connects Johnston neighborhoods through expanded pedestrian and trail access. It\u2019s exactly the kind of commonsense infrastructure investment that improves safety while supporting continued economic growth.\u201d\n\nRep. Nunn secured the funding through the FY2026 Community Project Funding (CPF) process. The City of Johnston will administer the federal award through the Federal Highway Administration grant process before the project proceeds to the Iowa Department of Transportation.\n\nThe project builds a new grade-separated interchange at Highway 141 and NW Towner Drive, separating local and highway traffic to eliminate at-grade crossings and reduce vehicle conflict points along the corridor. The project also includes improved access management, right-in/right-out intersections, and new pedestrian and bicycle connections that will link Johnston neighborhoods to the region\u2019s growing trail network.\n\nThe federal investment is part of a broader infrastructure initiative that has already secured more than $12.8 million toward the project, including a local commitment exceeding $6.3 million. Additional funding is being pursued through a federal transportation grant. Preliminary engineering and environmental review are currently underway, with the project expected to be bid in fall 2026 and construction anticipated to begin in 2027.\n\nLocal leaders praised the investment and its impact on the community.\n\n\u201cThis project represents years of planning and collaboration by the City of Johnston, Polk County, the Iowa Department of Transportation and our federal partners,\u201d said Paula Dierenfield, Mayor, City of Johnston. \u201cToday\u2019s announcement is another important milestone in moving this critical project closer to construction. A huge thanks to Congressman Nunn for his efforts in obtaining this $500,000 Community Project Funding grant for the project.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe future interchange will be a significant investment in the future growth in Johnston, we look forward to all of the potential benefits and new opportunities that will be created, with the opening of this new project,\u201d said Elizabeth VanGundy, President, Johnston Chamber of Commerce.\n\n\u201cConstruction of the interchange will improve traffic flow in a heavily congested corridor while also significantly improving the safety of all the current and future residents who utilize the corridor,\u201d said Dennis McDaniel, Police Chief, City of Johnston.\n\n\u201cAs Johnston continues to grow, we have to make sure our infrastructure keeps pace,\u201d said State Rep. Eddie Andrews. \u201cThis investment will improve safety, reduce congestion, and help ensure families, businesses, and first responders can travel this corridor more efficiently. I appreciate Congressman Nunn for securing this funding and for continuing to fight for the infrastructure improvements in Washington that keep Iowa moving forward.\u201d\n\nPhotos from today\u2019s press conference are available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-04T07:35:49Z", "2026-08-04T07:37:27Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://nunn.house.gov/2026/08/03/nunn-secures-500000-federal-investment-for-new-highway-141-interchange-in-johnston/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7005259394645691, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}