A big sign that so many of us will recognize has gotten a new look and technology upgrade. And now it will provide details about TWO jackpots rather than just one!
You’ll definitely notice it the next time you go by!
We’re talking about the iconic lottery billboard along I-235, just east of the state Capitol as the freeway heads into downtown Des Moines. For a lot of folks, that's always been a lottery billboard because Iowa Lottery messaging has been on it since April 1999.
Commuters in the area see the billboard every day. And if you’re from another part of Iowa, you’ve likely seen it when you’re in Des Moines for a state tournament, a concert, or another visit.
For the past handful of years, the billboard has shown the current Powerball® jackpot amount. Over time, the sign had taken some hits from the weather, and we knew it needed an overhaul. But we had to line up new technology for that process.
It all came together yesterday! Crews brought in a crane so they could switch out the graphics on the sign and put in upgraded mechanical boxes to display the jackpot amounts. With the update, the billboard now provides the latest jackpot amounts in Powerball AND Mega Millions®.
(At the time the picture was taken yesterday, it showed the jackpot amount for last night’s Mega Millions drawing. Now that the drawing has happened, the sign’s digits have updated to show the $185 million estimated Mega Millions jackpot for Friday night’s drawing.)
The numbers on the billboard may not seem all that big as you drive by, but look at the image below of the sign crew at work. The digits in the display are MUCH bigger than them!
Say hello to this new look for the jackpots! The finished billboard is in the image above, and the shots of it under construction are below!