City Manager Updates Council On DOT Highway 9 Project

Without your donation, some stories vanish. Support Decorah News. DECORAH — A major upcoming reconstruction project on U.S. Highway 9 is expected to begin in early April, bringing significant traffic changes, detours and access challenges for local businesses, according to a report delivered to the Decorah City Council. City Manager Travis Goedken updated council members at Monday night's meeting, stating that the Iowa Department of Transportation plans to begin work April 6, starting with shoulder reinforcement and preliminary paving to prepare for lane shifts. Once construction advances, crews will remove sections of the eastbound pavement, shifting traffic patterns to maintain two-way travel. During that phase, westbound traffic will be routed onto the north side of the highway while the south side is closed. The shifting configuration will significantly alter how drivers access side streets and businesses along the corridor. Goedken said several intersections will remain technically "open," but with limited functionality that could complicate navigation for drivers. At Park Street and Bluegrass Drive, for example, eastbound motorists will still be able to turn right, but left turns will be restricted. Drivers attempting to access destinations on the opposite side of the highway will need to continue to another intersection and backtrack. In some cases, those restrictions could result in detours of several miles. One example discussed during the meeting involved access to destinations north of the highway, where drivers may need to travel to Montgomery Street, loop back via Broadway and return, a route estimated at roughly four to four-and-a-half miles. Short Street will be fully closed during portions of the project. Goedken said the practical effect is that while intersections may be labeled as open, they will not function as they typically do, a distinction he described as important for public understanding. City continues seeking adjustments from DOT City officials are continuing to work with the Iowa DOT to explore whether some of the restrictions can be modified. Goedken said City Engineer John Hjelle has proposed alternatives that would allow certain left turns rather than eliminating them entirely with traffic barrels. The goal is to reduce the burden on drivers and limit the impact on local access. "We're still trying to work with the DOT on coming up with potential better solutions to this project," Goedken said. Business concerns and signage plans The construction is expected to have a direct impact on businesses along the corridor, many of which rely on highway visibility and convenient access. Goedken said multiple business owners have already contacted the city with concerns, particularly about how customers will navigate detours and whether businesses will appear accessible during construction. To address that, the city is responsible for coordinating detour signage, including messaging to inform drivers that businesses remain open. Officials are considering the use of standardized "local businesses open" signs and are exploring whether businesses could voluntarily contribute funding to enhance signage, potentially including logos or more specific directional information. Council members indicated general support for the idea, though details have not yet been finalized. In addition to design and messaging, the city will also bear responsibility for the cost and coordination of detour signage, adding another layer of complexity to the project. Goedken said the city is working to balance clarity for drivers with fairness for businesses, while also managing logistics tied to the state-led construction effort. The Highway 9 project is expected to continue through the construction season, with phased work affecting traffic patterns throughout the corridor. Goedken emphasized that conditions and access points may change as construction progresses and encouraged ongoing communication between the city, the DOT and local businesses. He also said he would continue working with state officials to minimize impacts where possible while ensuring residents and businesses are informed about changing conditions. Get the inside scoop! Subscribe to the free DecorahNews.com newsletter and receive local news, expert analysis, and stories that matter most—straight to your inbox.