This letter to the editor appeared in the May 21, 2009 edition of the Fairfield Ledger.

 

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

BUSINESS 34 IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS

 

We write during a time of transition. The summer we have been awaiting is finally here - the Highway 34 resurfacing project. Just weeks from now, Fairfield will emerge from a transition which first began nearly twenty years ago. At that time, efforts had just begun to convert what is now the Heartland Highway from a two-lane road to a four-lane corridor. In November of last year, we celebrated with Governor Culver, the Fairfield High School band and the community as the ribbon on the Fairfield bypass was cut. It was the historic final piece of an uninterrupted transportation corridor- newly minted as the Heartland Highway- from Burlington to Des Moines which promises to move higher volumes of freight and human capital throughout Southeast Iowa than ever before.

Though we knew this time would come, the transition has not always been easy, or convenient. And we now find ourselves in a conspicuously inconvenient point in time as Burlington Avenue undergoes repair and resurfacing This week, should the weather cooperate, resurfacing from 32nd Street east to 20th Street should conclude, providing the community its first glimpse of what a fully-restored Burlington Avenue will offer the Fairfield and visitor traveler.

There have been, and there will continue to be, inconveniences relating to travel along Burlington Avenue throughout the summer as crews move eastward. Dozens of businesses along Highway 34 have been or will be affected by the incidence of heavy road construction along the street and access point challenges to their place of business. Several affected business owners addressed the Fairfield City Council recently with very legitimate concerns and asked what could be done.

Though construction schedules have been predetermined and are relatively inflexible, there is still plenty we can all do. Transportation artery options exist to the north and the south of Burlington Avenue. We strongly encourage travelers to utilize Grimes Avenue to the north particularly and Jefferson Avenue to the south as alternate yet effective options to reduce congestion in the construction areas. From 32nd Street east to Fairfield High School, Grimes Avenue mirrors Burlington Avenue, offering an identical 18 access points at full capacity. We encourage Fairfield residents to utilize these alternate travel options to conduct daily travel as a way to continue to better access businesses along Burlington Avenue.

As Department of Transportation representative Pete Tollenaere told the City Council last week, "the road will remain open at all times." So, as difficult as it can be at times to get to where you are going, be sure to know that the road will always be open.

Because this work interrupts the easy access to businesses along Burlington Avenue, we need to remind everyone that those businesses that serve our community can and are facing hardships especially in the face of a national economic downturn. We want to encourage everyone to support those businesses affected along with all of our businesses and not let the road construction deter you from getting to them. Whether it's your favorite restaurant, your bank, auto parts store, grocery store, gas station, car wash, farm store, car dealer or ice cream bar, keep supporting them by making the effort to visit during the road construction period.

For updates on the construction schedule, we encourage the frequenting of sites like the City of Fairfield's CityOfFairfieldIowa.com, the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce's FairfieldIowa.com and the Iowa DOT's 511ia.org for up-to-date information on lane closures and construction schedules throughout the summer.

We have no doubt that the final product - a newly resurfaced major roadway - will be wonderful and we appreciate the work that the DOT is doing to ensure the transfer of a well constructed road. We all should remember that this too shall pass, that all is temporary, and on the horizon is a vital new transportation asset to the entire Fairfield community. Your patience and cooperation are greatly appreciated and most important of all is your support for those important members of our business community who are bearing the brunt of the challenge. Our message is simple - thank you, drive carefully and Business 34 is open for business.

Ed Malloy is Mayor of Fairfield

Brent Willett is Executive Director of the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce & the Fairfield Economic Development Association

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