Few days remain for University Avenue East-West Corridor input

Proposed University Avenue Roundabouts

          A public hearing on the University Avenue roundabouts was held on February 27th. Although this project is still five years out, the proposal reveals a series of four roundabouts from Delhi Street to Pennsylvania Avenue. While Highway 20 is the primary east-west route in the city, this upgrade on University Avenue will provide an efficient alternative route for citizens, necessitated by the fact that so few east-west routes exist in Dubuque. Roundabouts are proposed at the Delhi Street, Loras Boulevard, Asbury Road, and Pennsylvania Avenue intersections.

        Safety concerns are the main reason the city has embraced roundabouts over the last few years. Roundabouts are the preferred options due to improved safety, reduced delay times, better air quality due to less time sitting in traffic, less noise due to deceleration and acceleration, and less fuel consumption than traffic signals. Furthermore, overall crash rates are reduced by 30-40%, and personal injury and fatal collisions are reduced by 75-90%. Pedestrians are also safer with buffered sidewalks and marked crosswalks at roundabouts. On-street bike lanes will be another feature that will improve safety.

        The proposal also shows a divided median between Pennsylvania and Loras, so accessing a business on the opposite side of the road will require motorists to go past their destination, do a full circle at the roundabout, and come back to their destination. While this might seem inconvenient, traffic will not slow waiting for vehicles to cross the oncoming lane traffic. Thus, the medians are deemed necessary for safety and traffic flow.

        Some properties have already been acquired but more acquisitions will be needed to implement the proposal. Citizens can access more information, check for updates, and leave feedback at CityofDubuque.org/EastWestCorridor through March 27th.