Leifker, David, Hwy 20 WestDAVID W. LEIFKER LAW OFFICES
IOWa OFFICE
DUBUQUE BUILDING
700 LOCUST ST STE 701
DUBUQUE, IOWA 52001-6824
TELEPHONE [3191 557-1354
FAX (319) 557-5086
May 24, 2001
WISCONSIN OFFICE
EAGLES BLUFF
1000 WHISPERING LANE
HAZEL GREEN. WISCONSIN 53811
TELEPHONE [608) 748-4740
Iowa Department of Transportation
Highway Division
800 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50010
RE: Highway 20, West, Dubuque, Iowa - Dangerous Design/Condition
Dear Persons:
I am writing to you because of my serious concern about the configuratzon
of U. S. Highway 20 between the North Arterial and Old Highway 20
intersections. This stretch of highway is roughly one half (½) mile long.
However, unlike the highway to the east and also to the west, there are no
traffic islands separating the east and west bound lanes of traffic. Wcrse
than this, there are no protected left turn lanes for the businesses in
this heavily travelled, area. There is simply about a two foot wide
divider. which offers no protection to left turning traffic.
As you know, the two left lanes of four lane highways are usually the
"fast/passing" lanes. Here we have traffic often having to stop or
slowdown substantially in that left lane when making left turns. There are
several large businesses in the area, including two car dealerships.
While I am concerned about the risk to all motorists in the area, I am
especially concerned because several family members and friends regularly
go to Riley's Auto which is located in the area. Going east out of Riley's
driveway is often like playing Russian Roulette, with five (5) bullets in
the gun.
I realize in the past the purported reason there were no changes made in
this area may have been that the nearby connection of the Northwest
Arterial and Southwest Arterial Highways was imminent. That is no longer
the case.
I suggest you take immediate steps to reconstruct this area before any more
people are seriously injured or even killed. I myself had a couple of
personal injury cases in this area within the last couple of years and I
also personally know that there have been many more accidents.
Considering what some of the spending priorities are for the City of
Iowa Department of Transportation
Highway Division
Page 2
May 24, 2001
Dubuque and State of Iowa, I am sure funds should be available to correct
this highly dangerous condition as soon as possible.
David W. Leifker
DWL:lak
cc: Mayor Terry Duggan and
Dubuque City Council
cc: Telegraph Herald
Letters to Editor