UI urges visitors to avoid Dubuque Street, use alternate routes to campus

Because of the continued threat of flooding in Iowa City, University of Iowa officials are urging visitors to take routes other than North Dubuque Street on their way to campus this weekend.

Visitors approaching Iowa City on Interstate 80 can take either the Dodge Street (Exit 246) or 1st Avenue (Exit 242) exits, or the Melrose Avenue exit (Exit 93) if approaching on Interstate 380/US218. To view a map showing recommended routes in yellow highlight, visit http://news-releases.uiowa.edu/2008/june/images/060508flood-routes.gif.

At 3 p.m. today the City of Iowa City closed North Dubuque Street to through traffic from Park Road to Foster Road because of the overflow of water onto both the southbound and northbound lanes of the street. The closure is in effect until the water level subsides sufficiently to allow safe traffic flow to resume.

Dubuque Street has already been reduced to two-way traffic along the northbound lanes because of flooding from the Iowa River and may close by this weekend, when more rain is predicted and could cause further flooding. Mayflower Residence Hall has been evacuated as a precaution, and university officials are keeping a close eye on other facilities across campus that could be impacted by flooding.

The Iowa City River was at 20.43 feet in downtown Iowa City at 8 a.m. this morning, and without more rainfall should crest just below flood stage around midnight, according to the National Weather Service. However, more rain is forecast for the next few days. Iowa City officials announced this morning that children's amusement rides at City Park are closed immediately.

This is an especially busy weekend for the UI campus. Alumni Reunion weekend kicks off Friday, a Summer Dance Concert is scheduled Friday at the UI's North Hall and Hancher Auditorium will premier the documentary "The Bill Sackter Story" Saturday night. Additionally, the Iowa Summer Writing Festival is ongoing, the UI is host to a variety of summer athletics and music camps, and Iowa City is hosting the 2008 Iowa Arts Festival with events schedule both on and around the UI campus.

Visitors next week may also face challenges getting to and around campus, especially if there is additional rainfall. Classes begin for the university’s next three-week summer session on Tuesday, June 10, and orientation for new first-year students begins Wednesday, June 11.
STORY SOURCE: University of Iowa News Services, 300 Plaza Centre One, Suite 371, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-2500

MEDIA CONTACTS: Steve Parrott, University of Iowa spokesman, 319-530-6972, steven-parrott@uiowa.edu; Writer: Stephen Pradarelli, University News Services, 319-384-0007, stephen-pradarelli@uiowa.edu