Rockdale Rd Sidewalk request R. Hansen
TABLE
MOUND
ELEMENTARY
100 TOWER DRIVE
DUBUQUE IA 52003
TELEPHONE: 563-552-4400
F)LX: 563-552-4401
March 4, 2005
Mayor Terry Duggan
Dubuque City Council Members
C/o City Clerk's Office
50 W. 13th St.
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dear Mayor Duggan and Council Members,
I am expressing a concern to you regarding a pedestrian safety issue on Rockdale Rd. I
had initially sent an e-mail to John Markham, who forwarded it on to the City Engineer's
Office. Their recommendation was to send an official letter to the Mayor and City Council on
the issue. Most of Rockdale Rd. is dangerous for pedestrians because of the lack of a sidewalk
on that road. Pedestrians must walk on the shoulder of the road. The police department seems
to do a good job monitoring traffic on Rockdale, but frequently, traffic is still moving at faster
than 25 miles per hour. There are not many pedestrians there, probably due to the lack of
sidewalks. However, there are a small number of students walking along that road on the way
to Table Mound School.
My greatest concerns came to light in January, when we had a fairly good snow cover. I
observed a student walking to school along Rockdale Rd., between Neighbor's Bar and
Restaurant and Brian St. The snow had been cleared off of the roadway, but the shoulder in this
area was covered with snow banks. The student was struggling to walk safely to school,
because all walking needed to be done on the roadway itself. I then drove up and down a good
share of Rockdale Rd, from Neighbor's, all the way into Key West. Most of the shoulder area
had been relatively clear of snow, with at least some walking space off of the roadway.
So, I am sending this letter asking the City to look at the safety issue for pedestrians
along Rockdale Rd. Obviously, the safest thing to do would be to put in a sidewalk all along
Rockdale Rd. I also understand that would be expensive, and it appears to be difficult to find
the space to put one in. If a sidewalk is not possible, I ask that you review the snow clearing
policies on Rockdale Rd., particularly the stretch between Brian St. and Neighbor's. It would
be a shame if any student or adult were to be hit while trying to walk along Rockdale Rd.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter.
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Cc: John Burgart, DCSD Superintendent of Schools
Kris Hall, Executi ve Director of Equity Operations and School Services
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