Shoppers and bar-goers can soon rejoice as a prominent downtown project nears completion.
Dubuque Street has been closed between Iowa Ave. and Washington St. since March for road reconstruction and significant work on general infrastructure.
The City of Iowa City anticipated the construction would last six months and crews are expected to wrap by September.
“The sidewalks and the street will be 100 percent done by the end of the month,” said Iowa City Senior Civil Engineer Alin Dumachi. “The alley is being pushed back later into the fall season. We are on track to have the street and sidewalk open by the end of the month, minus the plantings and some lights.” The Dubuque Street Reconstruction project is just one of 12 projects planned over the following years to help improve the Iowa City corridor.
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What does the Dubuque St. project entail?
Crews have worked to update public infrastructure on the downtown road, including a new 12-inch water main, a new sanitary sewer and storm sewer system, updates to the roadway, significant updates to the pedestrian sidewalks, and new light fixtures. The construction makes Dubuque St. more accessible due to ADA compliance and wider sidewalks. More street parking should be added, as outdoor dining patios will no longer trickle into the road.