Citizen Petition_Southern Avenue Detoured TrafficMay 1, 2013
Kevin,
Thanks for returning my call this morning.
RECEIVED
13APR3I PM 12:5
City Clerk's Office
Dubuque, IA
Attached are several pages associated with a petition to essentially limit northbound thru
traffic on the south part of Southern Avenue during highway construction, mostly for
safety reasons. It's really dangerous on this part of Southern, Kevin.
Several of my neighbors will be in attendance on May 6th and I have told them that only
one person may speak on behalf of the petitioners, and then for a maximum of 5 minutes.
If you can include this petition as a consent item for May 6th, it will make a number of
my neighbors happy.
incerely,
Dave Hartig
April 22, 2013
Mayor and City Council Members
Dubuque City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dear Honorable Mayor and Council Members:
This proposed resolution is intended to address the traffic pattern issue created by the closing of
two of four lanes of traffic on Highways 61- 151 -52 from Grandview Avenue to Twin Valley
Drive for the next two years.
To wit:
The State DOT has mandated the closing of two of four traffic lanes on the subject highways for
two years during a reconstruction;
Therefore, whereas:
Local streets, namely Rockdale Road and Southern Avenue, both will be severely affected by
said closing;
And whereas:
Rockdale Road is for the most part a 36 +/- foot wide minor arterial, and Southern Avenue is a
24 foot wide local collector street;
And whereas:
Southern Avenue is now limited to one lane south at a portion of the 1500 block because of local
on- street parking;
And whereas:
Southern Avenue has been the preferred route for persons exceeding noise and speed limits
northbound from its intersection with Rockdale Road;
And whereas:
Said intersection is at best dangerous to vehicular as well as pedestrian traffic due to its angular
intersection and dissimilar street elevations;
And whereas:
A "detour" sign currently exists reminding motorists to continue their northbound travel to
Grandview on Rockdale Road rather than Southern Avenue.
Using a sign, "Road Closed to Thru Traffic", and a barrier on Southern at Rockdale should
equalize the traffic patterns between Southern Avenue and Rockdale Road, thereby improving
the safety of pedestrian and vehicular traffic on both streets.
Resolved therefore:
That Southern Avenue be closed to northbound non-governmental through traffic from Rockdale
Road to Grandview Avenue for the duration of the Highway 61-151-52 construction period.
Respectfully submitted,
Residents in the Grandview, Southern Avenue and Rockdale areas:
NAME
ADDRESS
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Using a sign, "Road Closed to Thru Traffic ", and a barrier on Southern at Rockdale should
equalize the traffic patterns between Southern Avenue and Rockdale Road, thereby improving
the safety of pedestrian and vehicular traffic on both streets.
Resolved therefore:
That Southern Avenue be closed to northbound non - governmental through traffic from Rockdale
Road to Grandview Avenue for the duration of the Highway 61- 151 -52 construction period.
Respectfully submitted,
Residents in the Grandview, Southern Avenue and Rockdale areas:
Using a sign, "Road Closed to Thru Traffic ", and a barrier on Southern at Rockdale should
equalize the traffic patterns between Southern Avenue and Rockdale Road, thereby improving
the safety of pedestrian and vehicular traffic on both streets.
Resolved therefore:
That Southern Avenue be closed to northbound non - governmental through traffic from Rockdale
Road to Grandview Avenue for the duration of the Highway 61- 151 -52 construction period.
Respectfully submitted,
Residents in the Grandview, Southern Avenue and Rockdale areas:
NAME
ADDRESS
Using a sign, "Road Closed to Thru Traffic ", and a barrier on Southern at Rockdale should
equalize the traffic patterns between Southern Avenue and Rockdale Road, thereby improving
the safety of pedestrian and vehicular traffic on both streets.
Resolved therefore:
That Southern Avenue be closed to northbound non - governmental through traffic from Rockdale
Road to Grandview Avenue for the duration of the Highway 61- 151 -52 construction period.
Respectfully submitted,
Residents in the Grandview, South -rn Avenue and Rockdale areas:
ADDRESS
NAME
Using a sign, "Road Closed to Thru Traffic ", and a barrier on Southern at Rockdale should
equalize the traffic patterns between Southern Avenue and Rockdale Road, thereby improving
the safety of pedestrian and vehicular traffic on both streets.
Resolved therefore:
That Southern Avenue be closed to northbound non - governmental through traffic from Rockdale
Road to Grandview Avenue for the duration of the Highway 61- 151 -52 construction period.
Respectfully submitted,
Residents in the Grandview, Southern Avenue and Rockdale areas:
NAME
O
ADDRESS
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Honorable Mayor Members of City Council:
My name if Mary Strom. I reside at 960 Mayfair Ct, on a corner lot . My side yard
is adjacent to Southern. I have personally visited with 23 of the residents who
have signed this petition. I'm here to share with you their fears & concerns.
, 5«ft
The south portion of Southern is a long steep hill goiifg down from Grandview to
Catfish Creek. It was never intended to take other than local traffic. Generally
speaking, most southbound traffic coming from Highway 20 via Grandview &
going south prefers Southern to Rockdale. Allowing northbound as well poses a
dangerous situatibn. Sidewalks do not exist continuously, there is approximately
1 block of sidewalk only.
Resident concerns relate to safety & the quality of life. Motorists rarely observe
the 25 mph speed limit as they accelerate going up the hill toward Grandview.
I've been passed on the lower narrow strip, honked at, & given the finger because
I was driving the speed limit . Several families of Bryant & St Columbille's elem
school children no longer allow their children to walk to & from school because of
speeding traffic on Southern .
Vehicular noise , especially from trucks & motorcycles bother our elderly
residents especially those who are ill. Motorcyclists often use Southern as a
racetrack speeding up the hill. I spoke with residents who built their homes in
this area & have lived here all of their lives. Now they are aging & in ill health.
The noise from accelerating traffic interrupts their sleep & rest. Of course, if they
are still driving they fear entering Southern Ave.from the courts.
Here , in Dubuque I see an effort to be sensitive to the quality of life for our
residents . I do not see this happening when vehicular traffic is not properly
routed , regulated or enforced to lessen the impact of noise & accidents.
Therefore we ask tgyou act on redirecting northbound traffic . Thank You . Are
there questions?
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