US 61/151

US 61/151. Construction on US 61/151 was of the first major traffic improvement projects in post-WORLD WAR II Dubuque. While the major city in northeastern Iowa, Dubuque for years was handicapped by antiquated highway connections to the rest of the state. Prior to the reconstruction of Highways 61/151 the two highways followed several downtown streets from Locust Street near the JULIEN DUBUQUE BRIDGE to the Wisconsin border. Heavy truck traffic from the JOHN DEERE DUBUQUE WORKS had to follow Central Avenue past the DUBUQUE COUNTY COURTHOUSE and negotiate several right angle turns to leave the city.

Between 1988 and 1993 a new four-lane divided highway was constructed through the city. Sections were completed from south to north and most of the new highway was elevated. One exception was near the ICE HARBOR after a campaign by local business interests which wanted two at-grade traffic lights. The construction also included a new approach to the DUBUQUE-WISCONSIN BRIDGE.

The completion of the new Highway 61/151 in 1993 reduced traffic congestion in downtown Dubuque and reduced the travel time from the northern end of the route to the southern by at least half.

Highway construction along highways 61 and 151 in other parts of Iowa gave Dubuque four lane connections to the Quad Cities and Cedar Rapids. By the mid-1990s, Dubuque finally had a four lane connection to Interstate 80.

In 2005 the U.S. 151 expansion project resulted in four lanes of highway between Dubuque and Madison, Wisconsin.