RAGBRAI® Traffic Information For Local Motorists
July 20, 2009

RAGBRAI® Traffic Information For Local Motorists
RAGBRAI® is coming to Ottumwa on July 23rd.   The annual event is expected to have over 10,000 bicycle riders and an additional 1,600 cars, buses and trucks used as RAGBRAI support vehicles.
 
City of Ottumwa Director of Public Works, Larry Seals said, "The route through town will see a lot of bicycle traffic.  The number one goal is the safety of the participants and the motoring public.  There certainly will be delays and inconveniences for motorists on those days, but with a little planning ahead most residents should be able to get around town without too much difficulty.  Local motorists should make note of the RAGBRAI routes coming in and out of town and plan accordingly"      
 
Riders will begin arriving early on the morning of Thursday, July 23rd.  They will be coming from Blakesburg and enter Ottumwa on Bluegrass Road.  At the intersection of Shaul Avenue / Mary Street, they will turn north and follow Shaul to Finley Avenue.  They will then head east on Finley to Johnson Avenue, north on Johnson to Chester Avenue and proceed east on Chester to Ferry Street. The riders will follow Ferry north to Ottumwa Park where their overnight campground is located.
 
On Friday, July 24th, riders will exit Greater Ottumwa Park to Church via the bicycle path near the highway off ramp at Myrtle Street.   Riders will head north on Church Street, cross the Market Street Bridge and follow Market Street up to 4th Street.  They will go one block west on 4th to Court Street, turn and proceed up Court Hill.  Riders will continue on North Court to Carter Avenue, turn east on Carter Avenue and continue through the Indian Hills Community College campus. Riders will exit the campus turning east onto Alta Vista Avenue until it merges with Dahlonega Road.
 
A number of street closures and lane reductions for the event will also have an impact on cross-town travel.  The Market Street Bridge and Church Street from the river to Myrtle Street will be closed to traffic for event festivities.   The closure will occur early on July 23rd through mid-day on July 24th.      Sections of Wapello Street Extension through Ottumwa Park will be restricted to one lane in each direction for through traffic. Stop signs will be temporarily placed along this area as well.   No non-event vehicle traffic will be allowed to enter the park area off of Wapello Street.   The highway down ramp/Myrtle Street connecting to Church Street will be closed as well as Cook Street from Jefferson to Church Street and the highway up ramp.
 
Ottumwa Police Chief Jim Clark said, "Drivers should consider ways to avoid these busy routes, if possible.   We will have police officers posted along the route through town to assist in the flow of traffic.  We understand that in some cases, motorists will need to cross or travel a portion of the route with the bicycle traffic.  Drivers should enter and exit the flow of traffic with caution and reduce speed as appropriate to the flow of traffic.  A little patience will go a long way to keeping everyone safe"  
 
On Friday, July 24th, no parking will be allowed on the east side of Market from Main to 4th, north side of 4th from Market to Court and the east side of North Court from 4th to Carter.    Residents going to the Bridge View Center / Beach Ottumwa area for the RAGBRAI festivities on July 23rd are encouraged to use the public parking lots behind Church Street and downtown.

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