Traffic patterns shift as McGregor Main Street construction moves to next stage
Seventh Street, from C Street to Garnavillo Avenue, was closed to traffic last week, as phase two of the McGregor Main Street Reconstruction Project moved to its next stage. Those entering McGregor from the Great River Road/Walton Street will now be directed onto C Street for a short detour in order to reach downtown. This route is only for cars, SUVs and standard sized trucks.
Traffic patterns in McGregor shifted last week, as phase two of the Main Street Reconstruction Project moved to its next stage.
Main Street from Third to Fifth streets reopened to traffic for the first time since spring on Aug. 14. However, Main Street from Fifth to Seventh streets remains closed, and Seventh Street from C Street to Garnavillo Avenue, in front of St. Mary Catholic Church, is now shuttered too.
With the closure of Seventh Street, motorists entering McGregor from Business 18/State Highway 76 (White Springs Hill) will not be able to access the downtown from this direction. Drivers will still be able to access the school, Great River Care Center and St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
A large portion of McGregor, including the downtown business district, is easily navigable during construction. Motorists are encouraged to enter and leave McGregor via Highway 76, along the riverfront between McGregor and Marquette.
The St. Mary’s parking lot next to St. Paul Lutheran Church will serve as a temporary pickup and dropoff location for students when school resumes on Aug. 23. From here, students will be directed to use a pedestrian path to access the school/ bus stop location.
According to the weekly update from the city of McGregor, the temporary “no parking” restrictions on Ann Street will remain in place while traffic flow to and from the temporary student pickup/dropoff location is monitored.
Those entering or leaving McGregor via the Great River Road/Walton Street (headed to/from Pikes Peak State Park, Clayton or Guttenberg) will be detoured onto C Street for a few blocks. Please note, this route is only for cars, SUVs and standard sized trucks.
New temporary “no parking” restrictions are now in place on Fifth Street, near the First Congregational Church, to accommodate increased two-way traffic.
Those with RVs, campers and trailers who are headed to Pikes Peak, Sny Magill, Clayton or Guttenberg should enter McGregor from Business 18/State Highway 76 (White Springs Hill) and take a right onto Kimberly Avenue before entering the McGregor city limits, then take a left onto King Road. This will intersect with the Great River Road.
Those with RVs, campers and trailers headed from Pikes Peak, Sny Magill, Clayton or Guttenberg who want to reach downtown McGregor should turn left onto King Road from the Great River Road heading west, then take a right onto Kimberly Avenue. From here, turn left onto Business 18/State Highway 76, which intersects onto Highway 18. Turn right and follow the highway to Marquette. Just before the bridge approach, turn right onto Highway 76 (road between towns), which will bring you into downtown McGregor.
The only semi access in and out of McGregor is via Highway 76, between Marquette and McGregor. Semis will not be able to get to or from downtown McGregor via the Great River Road/Walton Street or Business 18/State Highway 76 (White Springs Hill). Those who disregard this notice and the signage will become stuck and may require assistance.
According to the city of McGregor, an official reopening date for this final phase of the Main Street Reconstruction Project will be determined at a later time and will be weather dependent. It is anticipated to be sometime this fall, likely in October.
Continue to follow the “City of McGregor, IA” Facebook page for regular construction updates and links to maps outlining current traffic patterns.
