Transportation + Mobility

Transportation + Mobility includes a total of 12 recommendations across 5 sub-categories: Complete Streets, Public Transportation, Air Transportation, Regional Connections, and Automobile Travel. The bar chart below highlights the status of the 12 recommendations. Scroll down to the Recommendation Tracker for details. Status information reflects the community's work toward each recommendation.

Recommendation Highlight - Leverage technology to improve vehicular mobility and safety - F5b

Click on the image to learn more about Dubuque STREETS pilot project

The Collective Impact Model is the vehicle we use to implement the plan. It relies on organizations working together in a structured way, to achieve social change. The model relies on:

A Common Agenda
Shared Measurements
Mutually Reinforcing Activities
Continuous Communication
A Strong Backbone Organization

Each of the seven categories has a Connector and every recommendation has a Coordinator or subject expert. Champions are the boots-on-the-ground; they are the programs, organizations, people, projects, events and initiatives doing the work of the plan.

Recommendation Identification

Connect With Us

A dedicated team of Dubuque residents and community partners are helping turn our city's comprehensive plan, into a reality. These coordinators, connectors, and champions are tracking progress across each of the 7 categories, 32 subcategories and 110 recommendations of Imagine Dubuque.

For additional information on Imagine Dubuque, contact Planning Technician Jason Duba at the City of Dubuque, 563-589-4223 or jduba@cityofdubuque.org.

Tracking Definitions

Needs Resources: Recommendation implementation has not yet begun. Needs will vary and may include funding, coordination, time, and staffing. The impacts of Covid may be a root cause of resource needs, deferment, and disruption of implementation timelines.

Getting Started: Recommendation implementation is in the early stages of moving forward by way of active organizing, connecting with partners, planning and data collection, and/or a few early action items.

Underway: Recommendation implementation is moving forward, with multiple actions in motion and steady progress being made towards realizing the recommendation.

Complete / Ongoing: Recommendation implementation has been completed or is ongoing with continuity and growth in progress. Many recommendations will never be complete because ongoing focus and attention is required to maintain and further the success of each recommendation.

- Data will be updated bi-annually to align with Council Reports -

Recommendation tracker

Transportation + Mobility: 12 recommendations

• Needs Resources • Getting Started • Underway • Complete/Ongoing

Complete Streets Public Transit Air Travel Regional Connections Automobile Travel

Complete Streets

RECOMMENDATIONS - AT A GLANCE

► Identify opportunities to enhance pedestrian network in JFK corridor - F1a
► Apply Complete Streets principles throughout Dubuque - F1b
► Work from the City’s comprehensive network plan for Complete Streets - F1c
► Orient new development to the street / acquire right-of-way - F1d

RECOMMENDATIONS - DETAILS & STATUS

In the JFK corridor, identify short-term and long-term opportunities to facilitate a more complete pedestrian network. F1a - Coordinator: Jon Dienst, jdienst@cityofdubuque.org

► Status: Needs Resources

This project has seen support for the need for the sidewalks and opposition from owners and residents adjacent to the proposed amenity, due to the high cost of sidewalks and retaining walls required. It was considered as recently as June 2021.
The City is applying to the Transportation Alternatives Program for funding to help offset costs and also approved the use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars available to help low-moderate income residents along this corridor. (June 2021)

For all Dubuque corridors, assess opportunities to plan and design for complete street elements during each stage of maintenance and project development cycle. F1b - Coordinator: Jon Dienst, jdienst@cityofdubuque.org

► Status: Project Underway

Development reviews bring all relevant departments together to ensure adherence to design standards.
Conceptual plans for Central Avenue include complete streets.
Dubuque Architectural Guidelines reflect walkable neighborhood design and encourage parking at rear when possible.
New development requires landscaping buffer.

Work from the City’s comprehensive network plan for Complete Streets, including the Tri-State Biking/Walking Plan and the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation Study 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan (Long Range Transportation Plan), when making investment decisions in individual corridors. F1c - Coordinator: Jon Dienst, jdienst@cityofdubuque.org

► Status: Getting Started

Millwork District is an ideal example of the use of complete streets for safe pedestrian, bike and vehicle traffic.
Mixed-use development by Merge at the Port of Dubuque to include planning for pedestrians and bikes.
City Engineering Department is planning with Tri-State Trail Vision to identify areas for inclusion for bikes.

When properties redevelop, as appropriate, work to re-orient development to the street level, rather than separated from the street by parking lots and pursue opportunities to acquire right-of-way where beneficial. F1d - Coordinator: Shena Moon, smoon@cityofdubuque.org

► Status: Project Underway

Development Review Team brings multiple departments together for efficient review and input to meet codes and standards.
The Historic Millwork and Port of Dubuque master plans encourage development to the property line. Examples include Merge Development at the Port of Dubuque.

Public Transit

RECOMMENDATIONS - AT A GLANCE

► Enhance fixed-route service on high-performing transit corridors - F2a
► Enhance bus efficiency and effectiveness / connect residents to resources - F2b

RECOMMENDATIONS - DETAILS & STATUS

Continue making improvements to the fixed-route bus service that provides efficient travel options, focusing on high-performing transit corridors. F2a - Interim Coordinator: Russ Stecklein, rsteckle@cityofdubuque.org

► Status: Project Underway

New mini-maps for each route increase rider service literacy.
New ADA buses help improve services for all riders.
Modifications to stops help create ADA accessibility at points of entry and egress. Complete streets will help improve ability to meet this need.

Continue to extend bus service hours where it is most effective and provides valued accessibility improvements to the community. Look for opportunities to provide more efficient and direct routes to connect residents to resources and amenities. F2b - Interim Coordinator: Russ Stecklein, rsteckle@cityofdubuque.org

► Status: Getting Started

Many routes and services were negatively impacted during COVID-19 due to lack of need and operational funding. 2021 sees improvements as need increases and staffing can support the services.
Schools are better served with increased service for young people.
The free Port of Dubuque/Downtown shuttle services resumed in 2021 to serve during peak morning and evening times.

Air Travel

RECOMMENDATIONS - AT A GLANCE

► Expand passenger air service - F3a
► Target new development near the airport; restrict residential - F3b

RECOMMENDATIONS - DETAILS & STATUS

Given the current competitive nature of the airline industry, advocate for airline service expansion at the Dubuque Regional Airport. This includes continuing to leverage local incentive funding to target expansion of airline service. F3a - Coordinator: Todd Dalsing, tdalsing@cityofdubuque.org

► Status: Project Underway

Air Service Task force, convened by the Chamber of Commerce, helps identify needs, advocate and plan for a strong and dynamic service, while providing Air Service Forum updates.
Local and Transient Corporate and General Aviation includes University of Dubuque's Flight School, Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and Key City Fliers.
Aviation Avionics maintenance program with NICC was paused to start Fall of 2022, due to need for a qualified professor.
An incentive through the Small Community Air Service Development (SCASD) Program (from the Department of Transportation) provides $1.2 million supporting westbound service to Denver with new hub and carrier in Summer of 2022.

Target new development around the airport to more compatible uses such as light industrial, warehousing, and agriculture. Uses such as residential are particularly sensitive to airplane operations noise. F3b - Coordinator: Todd Dalsing, tdalsing@cityofdubuque.org

► Status: Project Underway

The Airport Master Plan helps guide appropriate development and changes.
Airport works with City, County, Greater Dubuque Development, Chamber of Commerce and Travel Dubuque to encourage appropriate airfield development; including business park, industrial, cargo, Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Stations (MRO) and surrounding appropriate zoning to protect airfield, which considers noise, obstructions, wildlife, etc.
The Airport Master Plan helps guide appropriate development and changes. Plan is updated and to be reviewed by City Council in September 2021.
New water and sewer service to airport supports new and existing development.

Regional Connections

RECOMMENDATIONS - AT A GLANCE

► Partner with DOTs to promote safe, efficient regional roadway connections - F4a
► Expand passenger rail service / 4-lane highway to Chicago - F4b

RECOMMENDATIONS - DETAILS & STATUS

Understanding the critical importance surrounding communities play in staffing jobs in Dubuque, continue to collaborate with surrounding state Departments of Transportation to promote safe, efficient regional roadway connections through Dubuque. F4a - Coordinator: Bob Schiesl, bschiesl@cityofdubuque.org

► Status: Complete/Ongoing

Greater Dubuque Development Corporation's Access to Markets webpage outlines roadways, air service and freight to help businesses understand Dubuque's connections.
Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (DMATS) convenes the City, County, regional coalition of governments (ECIA), DOT, transportation agencies and community leaders to respond to and plan for the region's transportation needs.

Through political and funding channels, continue to advocate for passenger rail service and a complete four-lane highway connection to Chicago. F4b - Coordinator: Teri Goodman, tgoodman@cityofdubuque.org

► Status: Needs Resources

requires update
Ride the Rail is a citizen-led group working to advocate for rail service from Chicago to Dubuque and educate the community about the updates and benefits from the service.

Automobile Travel

RECOMMENDATIONS - AT A GLANCE

► Implement Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation Study 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan - F5a
► Leverage technology to improve vehicular mobility and safety - F5b

RECOMMENDATIONS - DETAILS & STATUS

Identify the required project development steps and funding to implement the City of Dubuque roadway projects prioritized in the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation Study 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan. F5a - Coordinator: Bob Schiesl, bschiesl@cityofdubuque.org

► Status: Project Underway

Continued improvement of traffic with roundabout installations across University Avenue and North Grandview Streets with emphasis on safety and flow for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians.

Continue being a national leader in leveraging technology and other Intelligent Transportation System solutions to improve vehicular mobility and safety on the Dubuque street network. F5b - Coordinator: Dave Ness, dness@cityofdubuque.org

► Status: Complete/Ongoing

The City of Dubuque is implementing the next generation of an integrated traffic signal system that includes rapid simulation of future traffic conditions based on real-time data collection. It also includes communicating the modeled changes to road-users before they leave and while in route to balance delay and reduce congestion. The dynamic rerouting of traffic to balance road user delay is also expected to have safety benefits with a reduction in crashes and pollutants. Learn more about the City's STREETS Program.
Traffic systems have been possible because of the City's investment in extensive fiber optics, which feeds the 5G network, traffic video cameras and video analytics.

QUESTIONS + INFORMATION

Please contact Jason Duba with the City of Dubuque
jduba@cityofdubuque.org
(563) 589-4223