Grant to build 44 more U.S. 20 miles
Route will be widened from Moville to EarlyBy KATIE WILLIAMS, Messenger staff writer
SIOUX CITY - The U.S. 20 Corridor Association has high hopes for the future.
The Iowa Department of Transportation has received a federal grant of $451,290 to turn the 44 miles of U.S. 20 between Moville to Early into four lanes instead of two.
''This highway helps develop all of Iowa,'' said Shirley Phillips, president of the association, during the group's regular meeting Friday. With the increasing development of ethanol and biodiesel production in Iowa, Phillips said the highway will benefit all of Iowa.
She said it will be up to the DOT to determine how best to use the money from the grant, but the highway needs a lot of work done.
''I joined in 2004 and there wasn't a prayer,'' said Mark Monson, association member. ''There was no money and no discussion. Now we have a plan for every section of highway. We just need the money.''
Phillips said the association had worked very hard since its founding in the 1960s. From that time the eastern part of Highway 20 has been completed.
But Phillips said they need support from both anchors - Dubuque and Sioux City - for the project to become a success.
''We're very happy that Sioux City has gotten on board in the past few years,'' said Phillips.
The meeting was held in Sioux City at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center with two council members and four city staff members in attendance.
''This impacts us greatly,'' said Brent Hoffman, Sioux City council member and member of the U.S. 20 Corridor Association. ''We appreciate what you're doing and we will strive to become more aggressive lobbyists.''
The members also voted to retain the officers in their positions for another year.
Contact Katie Williams at (515) 573-2141 or katie@messengernews.net
