Contact:
Hugh Holak, P.E.
Resident Construction Engineer
Iowa Dept. of Transportation
563-927-2397, HUGH.HOLAK@dot.iowa.gov
March 18, 2013 - For Immediate Release
U.S. 52/61/151 Project Set to Start April 1
DUBUQUE, Iowa -- The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) will soon begin a traffic improvement project in Dubuque that will significantly impact traffic in the southern part of the community over the next two years.
The project construction corridor includes the area extending from the U.S. 52 intersection with U.S. 61/151 in the Key West area to the Grandview Avenue overpass located near Murphy Park. The project includes reconstruction of U.S. 52/61/151 from the Grandview interchange to the U.S. 52 intersection, the replacement of both existing bridges spanning Catfish Creek, installation of a median barrier, and improvements at the U.S. 52 intersection with U.S. 61/151.
The project will be conducted in with the first phase scheduled to begin on April 1, 2013. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes when possible. To minimize the impact of the project, the Iowa DOT plans the following:
- Phase I (2013 construction season): Improvements will first be made to the 52/61/151 intersection. Next, the southbound lanes will be closed first (around May 1, 2013) and traffic will be limited to one lane in each direction (head-to-head) on the opposite side. During this phase, the on-ramp from Grandview Avenue for southbound traffic will be closed. However, during winter months between Phase I and Phase II, all ramps will be open and the highway will be open to four lanes (two lanes in each direction).
- Phase II (2014 construction season): The northbound lanes will be closed while head-to-head traffic is moved to the southbound lanes that were constructed the previous year. During this phase, the off-ramp for northbound traffic exiting to Grandview will be closed. The Iowa DOT hopes to complete pavement construction in 2014, but some items (lighting, erosion control, etc.) may carry over into the following year.
The Iowa DOT does not plan to activate a detour for traffic to avoid this area as two lanes of traffic will remain open. However, area residents and others will likely create their own “detour route” which may impact traffic flow in surrounding neighborhoods. (An emergency detour will be established but only used if an incident forces closure of 52/61/151.) The Iowa DOT is working with the City of Dubuque, Dubuque Community School District, Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office, and area public safety officials to review and monitor potential challenges the project may create.
While this is not a City of Dubuque project, the City is assisting the Iowa DOT with community outreach on the project. A public information meeting will be scheduled soon to provide additional details on the project and how it may impact traffic in the area.
For information on this and other Iowa DOT projects, visit the Iowa 511 website at www.511ia.org. The Iowa DOT will be creating a public information web page specific to this project at www.iowadot.gov/ole/otherprojectinfo.html.
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A PDF version of this news release is available online at http://www.cityofdubuque.org/newsreleases
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