Transfer of Jurisdiction

Since January 2013, the City had several positive meetings and on-going discussions with the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) regarding the potential Transfer of Jurisdiction (TOJ) for the continued development and advancement of the Southwest Arterial. The on-going collaborative discussions resulted in the Iowa DOT preparing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and the State.

Due to the monumental and historic significance of executing the Memorandum of Understanding for the Southwest Arterial Project, the City in partnership with the Iowa Department of Transportation held a Signing Ceremony and Reception on August 9, 2013. 
  
Map of the US 52 Redesignation.
Dubuque SW Arterial - US52 TJ Redesignation.jpg

The following is a brief summary of the overall intent and principle objectives set forth when developing the MOU:

  • The Iowa DOT proposes to re-route a portion of U.S. 52 in Dubuque County; and 
  • The City is developing the Southwest Arterial which will connect U.S. 20 to U.S 61/151; and 
  • The Iowa DOT proposes to utilize the Southwest Arterial to carry a portion of re-routed U.S. 52 traffic; and 
  • The Iowa DOT and City, in joint cooperation propose to transfer the jurisdiction of the Southwest Arterial from the City to the State of Iowa in exchange for the Transfer of Jurisdiction of the Northwest Arterial (Iowa 32), and portions of existing U.S. 52/Iowa 3 from the Iowa 32/John Deere Road intersection to the intersection of U.S. 61 in downtown Dubuque, from the State to the City, after the Southwest Arterial is completed and open to traffic.

The City hereby agrees to continue as the lead agency for the development and advancement of the Southwest   Arterial and will be responsible for the completion the following project improvements:

City Project Responsibilities

  • Final Engineering Design
  • Property Acquisition
  • Gas Pipeline Utility Relocation
  • North Cascade Road Reconstruction
  • English Mill Road Reconstruction
  • Military Road Reconstruction

The Iowa DOT will take over as lead agency for the completion of the Southwest Arterial upon the City completing said improvements as outlined above. 

The CITY will take over jurisdiction of U.S. 52 / Iowa 3 from the Northwest Arterial / John Deere Road intersection to the intersection of U.S. 61 / Central Avenue / 4th Street in downtown Dubuque after the Southwest Arterial is open to traffic. 

The CITY will take over jurisdiction of Northwest Arterial (Iowa 32) after the Southwest Arterial is open to traffic.