East West Corridor Capacity Improvements Project

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The U.S. 20 corridor (also known as Dodge St.) in Dubuque is the primary east-west route in the City. Future traffic projections indicate that U.S. 20 alone will not provide sufficient capacity for travel from the east side of the city to the west with Dubuque’s projected growth. Capacity along other east/west roadways will need to be increased and improved to provide connectivity between the growing areas near the west and our vibrant downtown in the east.

In December 2021, the City Council approved a contract with the engineering firm HDR to complete the preliminary engineering design and environmental clearance phase for capacity improvements along University Ave., Asbury Rd., and Pennsylvania Ave. 

The results of the environmental study and the preliminary designs for capacity improvements along the University Ave. corridor are nearing completion. In 2025, the City plans to meet with stakeholders and host public information meetings to share the preliminary designs and gather public input.

Provide Your Input!

Now Accepting Public Comment

The Engineering Department and HDR, the engineering firm hired to assist with the project, is currently seeking public input on the preliminary designs for four roundabouts and other capacity improvements planned along the University Ave. corridor, from approximately Pennsylvania Ave. through the intersection of University Ave. and Delhi St. The materials and comment period will be open until Thursday, March 27, 2025. For questions or more information, contact the Engineering Department at 563-589-4270.

Next Steps

After the public comment period, the project team will complete the environmental assessment, hold a public hearing, and finish preliminary design. The funding and schedule have not yet been established for the following:

  • Final design
  • Right-of-way acquisition
  • Construction

Project History

Through traffic counts and photos and video analysis of Dubuque’s other east/west corridors, the City gained insight on travel times, intersection turning movement counts, and existing signal timings to determine traffic flow. This data was taken into consideration along with the potential traffic volume caused by diverting motorists from U.S. 20 onto these roadways. 

Ultimately, it was determined that other Dubuque roadways that span from the east of our city to its west had the potential to support growing capacity if roadway improvements were made including Pennsylvania Ave., University Ave., and Asbury Rd.

Progress to Date

The City has completed several capacity and safety improvements as part of the project.

Completed Improvements
Year
Cost 
Asbury Rd. - University Ave. Property Acquisition
2016$853,305 
Grandview Ave. - Delhi St. Roundabout
2016
$827,000
Loras Blvd. - Grandview Ave. Traffic Signals
2017$370,300
University Ave. - Grandview Ave. Roundabout
2018$1,200,000

Completed Improvements Map

East West Corridor Capacity Improvements To Date

Information for Property Owners

Just as the law grants certain entities the right to acquire private property, you as the owner of the property have certain rights. Read the Statement of Property Owner's Rights.

The Iowa Department of Transportation has developed a brochure entitled Highways and Your Land. This booklet will acquaint property owners, tenants and the public with the procedures the Iowa Department of Transportation follows in acquiring right of way for a highway. It is not a source of technical definitions or legal advice. Further, it is not intended to establish a legal standard. Download the brochure.

Maps and Images

Note: File sizes are large and may take several minutes to download.