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IDOT Policy Strategy commentsMEMORANDUM August14,2003 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager Comments from City of Dubuque on IDOT Policy Strategies The Iowa DOT has commissioned a study by Dr. David J. Forkenbrock of the University of Iowa. Dr. Forkenbrock has completed the study, entitled Policy Strategies for Iowa in Makinq Major Road Investments. Dr. Forkenbrock suggests that the IDOT policy shift from targeting resources to the Commercial Industrial Network (CIN) to a strategy to target funds to urban areas. If this policy shift is approved, Dubuque, and hopefully the IA 32 project will benefit. The IDOT has asked Dr. Forkenbrock to hold nine statewide public meetings around the state to seek input, and he will then come back to the Commission in the fall of 2003 to summarize the results of the public meetings. The two closest meetings to Dubuque will be held in Cedar Rapids on October 7 at 6:30 p.m. and Davenport on September 9 at 6:30 p.m. In response to the request for input, Economic Development Director Bill Baum has prepared a letter for your review to be submitted at one of the above public meetings. I respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval of the letter. MCVM/jh Attachment CC: Michael C. Van Milligen ~ ~--0~) Barry Lindahi, Corporation Counsel Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager Bill Baum, Economic Development Director Office of the Mayor and City Council City Hall, 50 West 13th $~et Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864 August 18, 2003 Iowa Department of Transportation Commission 800 Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa 50010 Re: Policy Strategies for Iowa in Making Major Road Investments Dear Commission Members: We are pleased that the Iowa DOT Commission has been engaged in the above referenced study, reviewing and making recommendations on how the state can best target available resources to achieve its objectives. Dubuque has benefited greatly from the existing policy of the IDOT, best summarized as directing resources toward the completion of the Commercial Industrial Network (ClN). The ClN was designated by the Transportation Commission as directed by the Iowa Legislature. The legislature stated the goal of the ClN is to "improve the flow of commerce; to make travel more convenient, safe, and efficient; and to better connect Iowa with regional, national, and international markets." As we move into fiscal year 05, Dubuque will be served by two completed GIN projects: · US61 four lane connection south to Interstate 80 · US151 four lane connection to Cedar Rapids We agree with Mr. Forkenbrock's suggestion that the State now move in another direction, and support these key elements of the study: · Iowa needs to accommodate and facilitate growth in the metropolitan areas to assist these areas in competing for labor and capital. · Highway investments in metropolitan areas should encourage sensible land use patterns that are sustainable. The investments made by IDOT in metropolitan areas are justified when the end result is lower transportation costs for area industry and business. When transportation costs are lowered, goods and services can be produced in a less costly manner. Transportation costs are a sizeable part of the cost of producing an area's particular products, and improvements that reduce these costs will do the most to make the area more competitive. Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork Overbuilding transportation facilities in chronically impoverished rural areas is not likely to be cost effective. · An agreed upon area-wide comprehensive plan is the necessary starting point for any attempt to use transportation investments to help an urban area. The City of Dubuque has received continuous support from the Iowa DOT Commission, the Iowa Congressional delegation, and our local Metropolitan Planning Organization in the strategy to complete our number one transportation pdority in the Dubuque Urban Area, Iowa 32 (Southwest Arterial). Iowa 32 is the best Dubuque example of a project that would be in conformance with this study because: Iowa 32 is a critical economic development project in that transportation costs for our area industries will be greatly reduced by connecting a congested US 20 to US61/151. 2. Iowa 32 will assist the City in facilitating expansions in its two industrial parks, which are located at each end of the proposed facility. 3. Iowa 32, as proposed with limited access, will encourage sensible land use patterns that are sustainable. 4. The City has adopted a Comprehensive Plan, which specifically takes into account the Iowa 32 project, and plans for growth accordingly. The impacts of the completion of this project on social objectives are positive. The Iowa 32 project will assist in revitalizing downtown and our neighborhoods by moving traffic off of Central Avenue, Cedar Cross Road and Kelley Lane. The City of Dubuque encourages the Commission to adopt this new policy strategy, and to implement the policy through funding of design and construction of Iowa 32. Sincerely, Terrance M. Duggan Mayor 'fransportation Policy Strategies - Iowa Depamm~t of Transportation Page 1 of 2 Public input sought in developing policy strategies for Iowa in making major road investments The Iowa Transportation Commission strives to ensure that Iowa's transportation policy strengthens Iowa's economy and makes Iowa a safe, comfortable place in which to live and work. In March 2002 they invited Dr. David Forkenbrock from the University of Iowa Public Policy Center to conduct a workshop on how major road investments could further those goals. As a result of this workshop, the Commission asked Dr. Forkenbrock to develop information to assist them when pursuing policy objectives through transportation investments. Dr. Forkenbrock completed this study titled "Policy Strategies for Iowa in Making Major Road Investments" in late 2002. The study covered the following topics: 1. Analysis of Iowa's changing population, economy, commuting patterns, employment and agricultural dependency. 2. Discussion on how transportation can and cannot advance economic development. 3. Review of how transportation influences land use and sustainable development. 4. Impacts of transportation on social objectives. 5. Summary and policy implications resulting from alternative transportation investment strategies. The study was presented to the Commission by Dr. Forkenbrock early this year, and the Commission has asked him to present the study to the public and gather comments. He will hold nine statewide public meetings around Iowa this summer and fall to present the results of the study and seek input. At these meetings, key business, transportation and local leaders will be invited to participate in a facilitated discussion. In addition, an open discussion for everyone in attendance will follow. Dr. Forkenbrock will then come back to the Commission in late fall to summarize the results of the public meetings. The Commissioners will utilize this information and the results of Dr. Forkenbrock's study as they work on the update of the state's long-range transportation plan. The meetings will be held as listed below. City Date Time Location Cedar Rapids Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. - Oct. 7 9:30 p.m. Clarion Hotel and Convention Center 523 33rd Ave. S.W. Cedar Rapids Charles City Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. - Sept. 23 9:30 p.m. Charles City Public Library 106 Milwaukee Mall Charles City Council Bluffs Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. - July 23 9:30 p.m. Best Western Crossroads of the Bluffs 2216 27th Ave. http://www.dot.state.ia.us/strategies.html 7/21/2003 · ~ ~ ~/'ransportation Policy Strategies - Iowa Depadment of Transportation Page 2 of 2 Creston Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. - ~ 9:30 p.m. Southwest Community College 1501 W. Townline St. Instruction Building, Room 180 Creston Davenport Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. - Holiday Inn Davenport Sept. 9 9:30 p.m. 5202 Brady St. Davenport Des Moines Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21 9:30 p.m. Mount Pleasant Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30 9:30 p.m. Sioux City Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. - June 24 ~- 9:30 p.m. Botanical Center 909 E. River Drive, Willow Room Des Moines Mount Pleasant Ramada Inn 1200 E. Baker St. Mount Pleasant Sioux City Convention Center/Auditorium 801 Fourth St., Room 2 Sioux City Spencer Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. - The Hotel July 30 9:30 p.m. 605 Grand Ave. Spencer I~i To obtain a.cpp.v of the .study, cljc_k, her~e. This report is in Adobe AcrobatTM format that requires the Adobe ReaderTM, To obt~iq.a..~;opy_of the ~¢_e reader, click here. This Iowa DOT page is maintained by Jerry Dickinson Your questions and comments are welcome. © 2003 all rights reserved -Iowa Department of Transportation Last modified 06/16/2003 15:10:21 http://www.dot.state.ia.us/slrategies.html 7/21/2003