Iowa DOT_Richards Letter_I 80 Detour/~~ ~~f
Iowa Department of Transportation
800 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa 50010 515-239-1111
FAX: 515-239-1120
July 2, 2008
The Honorable Roy Buol
Mayor of Dubuque
50 W 13~' Street
Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
Dear Mayor ol: ~~
As of June 20, 2008, we estimate that 500 miles of Iowa's primary highway system
had been affected by the flooding with an estimated 125 miles suffering damage.
One of the key corridors affected was Interstate 80 (I-80) in eastern Iowa. On
behalf of the Iowa Department of Transportation, I would like to express my
appreciation to the City of Dubuque for your assistance during the time I-80 traffic
was detoured through the Dubuque area.
First, thank you for the many coordination meetings for everyone involved with the
detour. In particular, I would like to mention and thank the Dubuque police
department who flagged traffic at peak hours at the intersection of U.S. 61 and
U.S. 20 every day of the detour, and the city engineering/public works staff who
adjusted the traffic signals at this same intersection so I-80 traffic had as much
green time as possible and provided extra signs to help detoured traffic fmd their
way in and out of the city.
We recognize the inconvenience and hardship placed on your citizens as interstate
traffic was routed through the city. Please accept my deep appreciation for all your
time and assistance during this flood event. Dubuque is a shining example of Iowa
can-do spirit.
Sincerely,
Nancy J. Ri6Yiardson
Director
NJR:ckw
cc: Kevin Mahoney, Director, Highway Division
Jim Schnoebelen, District 6 Engineer, Cedar Rapids