Julien Dubuque Bridge Reopens for Traffic August 7th, More Lane Closures Planned

For months, drivers traveling between Dubuque, IA and East Dubuque, IL, have had to plan around lane closure of the Julien Dubuque Bridge. Now, there is finally some good news. The Iowa Department of Transportation says the bridge is set to reopen to normal traffic operations at approximately 6 PM on Friday, August 7th. That means all lanes on the bridge will once again be available, making travel across the Mississippi River much easier for the thousands of people who use the crossing every day.

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Even though the bridge is reopening, the project is not completely finished and there will be additional closure times. The Iowa DOT says drivers should still expect some weekday lane closures on eastbound U.S. 20 through late September. Those closures will only happen during working days while construction crews wrap up the final phase of the maintenance project. The eastbound lane will reopen for the evening commute and remain open on weekends and other non-working days to help reduce traffic disruptions.

Credit: Tom Drake

The work that remains is mostly focused on protecting the bridge for years to come rather than making major repairs. Crews still need to finish painting sections of the bridge's steel structure and apply protective concrete sealers to the bridge deck and railings. While these tasks may not seem as noticeable as replacing damaged parts, they play an important role in preserving the bridge. Fresh paint helps protect the steel from rust and corrosion, while concrete sealers keep water, road salt, and other materials from penetrating the surface and causing debilitating damage over time. Performing this kind of preventative maintenance extends the life of the bridge and can reduce the need for larger, more expensive repairs later.

This year's full rehabilitation project included more than the painting and sealing that is left. Crews repaired bridge deck joints, completed maintenance on the steel superstructure, repaired railings, sealed the bridge deck, and replaced the handrail along the adjacent pedestrian walkway. Much of that work required the bridges full closure to give workers safe access to the different repair areas.

While the project is almost complete, drivers should still use caution when traveling through the remaining work zone. Reduce your speeds and continue to watch for construction equipment and workers, which will still be present during weekday work hours through September. For more updates check out 511 for roadway status. For travelers in the Tri-States the reopening of the bridge marks a big milestone after months of travel adjustments.