Aug 12, 2003

For more information contact:
Dena M. Gray-Fisher
515-239-1922
dena.grayfisher@dot.state.ia.us

U.S. 20 Ribbon Cutting and Dedication
Hardin and Grundy counties - Iowa River Bridge

AMES, Iowa –  The U.S. 20 Corridor Association, in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Transportation, is planning a ribbon cutting and highway dedication ceremony to mark the completion of four-lane U.S. 20 in Hardin and Grundy counties in central Iowa. Events will take place on Friday, Aug. 22, within and north of Steamboat Rock.

Governor Thomas J. Vilsack, U.S. Rep. Tom Latham and U.S. Rep. Steve King will be sharing remarks during the ceremony. They will be joined by Floyd Magnusson, chair of the U.S. 20 Corridor Association, and local officials. Members of the Iowa Transportation Commission will also be present.

"Iowa's economic vitality depends on a sound transportation system and this project is just another step in protecting our future," said Iowa DOT Director Mark Wandro.

"It's great that Highway 20 is finished from Fort Dodge to Dubuque, but we're not done. Now we must continue to work to connect Fort Dodge and Sioux City," remarked Magnusson. "We celebrate this achievement and look forward to working with the DOT to complete the project across the state of Iowa."

Guests and media organizations are asked to gather at the Steamboat Rock Schoolhouse, 306 W. Market St., at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 22. Bus transportation to the new Iowa River Bridge will be provided. Refreshments will be served at the schoolhouse and displays from associated organizations available for viewing.

Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations should contact Ann Trimble-Ray at 712-273-5745 or ann@heartmkt.com. On-site reserved parking will be available for persons with authorized handicap parking permits, if prior notification of need is expressed.

The Iowa River Bridge within this newly completed section of U.S. 20 spans the Iowa River Greenbelt. It was built using a unique construction method, known as "launching," that minimized the impact to the environmentally-sensitive river bottom area. Using this technique, the bridge’s steel understructure was "launched" from the east embankment onto a series of concrete piers until it reached the west side.

This was the first bridge constructed using this method in the United States. The Iowa River Bridge was named one of the top 10 bridges in the United States by an industry publication.

U.S. 20 has played a prominent role in the economic development of Iowa since its construction in the early 1930s. The completion of relocated U.S. 20 through Hardin and Grundy counties marks a major milestone in the enhancement of this corridor by now providing Iowans with a four-lane highway from Dubuque to Fort Dodge.

The U.S. 20 Corridor Association remains committed to the completion of the highway as a four-lane across the state of Iowa. With the opening of this section, just 95 miles of U.S. 20 in western Iowa remain to be completed as a four-lane.

The completed U.S. 20 four-lane corridor will connect with Nebraska 35, I-29, U.S. 151 in Wisconsin, and U.S. 20 in Illinois, all of which are being expanded to four-lanes.

For more information on the U.S. 20 Association or this event, please contact: Shirley Phillips at 712-662-7383 or setd@pionet.net, Ann Trimble-Ray at 712-273-5745 or ann@heartmkt.com; for information about the highway project contact Dena Gray-Fisher of the Iowa DOT at 515-239-1922 or dena.grayfisher@dot.state.ia.us.

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