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DUBUQUE COUNTY CONSERVATION BOARD
13606 Swiss Valley Rd.
Peosta, IA 52068
563-556-6745
563-589-7813 fax
www.dqþuquecountv.c.Qill
Robert Walton, Dir.
Board Members:
Dr. Thomas White
Nita Wiederaenders
Roger La Barge
Pat Rea
Yvonne Nauman
December 22, 2004
Honorable Mayor Duggan & Dubuque City Council
City of Dubuque
50 W 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
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Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
As part of the Dubuque County Conservation Board's mission to provide quality
outdoor recreation for the citizen's and visitors of Dubuque County, the Conservation
Board is proposing the construction of a bicycle/pedestrian bridge over HWY 52/3 to
complete the Heritage Trail into the City of Dubuque. The pedestrian bridge is the only
alternative to reduce or eliminate the incidence or likelihood of crashes or motor
vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian conflicts.
The completion of the pedestrianlbicycle bridge would connect the current 26-miIe
Heritage Trail with the City of Dubuque's Heritage Trail system. The Heritage Trail is
recognized as a National Recreational Trail in the National Trails System. It is also one
onowa's most scenic trails as it follows the old railroad right-of-way along the Little
Maquoketa River, past sheer limestone bluffs and heavily wooded hillsides.
The completion of this project would connect the America's River Project, the
National Mississippi River Discovery Center and other tourist attractions in Dubuque
across the entire county. This would greatly expand the recreational opportunities for
local citizens and tourists 1Tom across the country as an exceptional recreational facility
and encourage visitors to visit Dubuque or extend their stay.
On December 16, 2004, the Dubuque County Conservation Board passed a
resolution requesting communities impacted by the Heritage Trail to designate the
pedestrianlbicycle bridge over HWY 52/3 as the priority project for recreational traiIs
in the Dubuque Metropolitan Area.
The Conservation Board is requesting to be placed on the next City Council Meeting
agenda and is asking for the City of Dubuque to officially designate the Heritage Trail
pedestrianlbicycle bridge over HWY 52/3 as a priority project for the Dubuque
Metropolitan Area Transportation System. We will have staff and Board Members
available to explain and discuss the project at that meeting.
We look forward to discussing this exciting project with you. If you have any
questions regarding our request, please contact me at 563-556-6745.
Sincerely,. :~;7/y' . /) / .,...;¿'. '.
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Robert J. Walton, Executive Director
Dubuque County Conservation Board
Cc: Mike Van MiIIigen