RAGBRAI committee lists street closures, restrictions
The local RAGBRAI committee would like Guttenberg residents to be aware of the plans, street closures and parking restrictions that are planned for the RAGBRAI visit on two weekends in July – Friday and Saturday, July 18-19, and Saturday, July 26.
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On the first weekend 1,000+ vehicles will arrive in Guttenberg to park their vehicles for the week and board charter buses to Orange City in western Iowa where the ride begins on Sunday.
On July 18 the 300-500 blocks of River Park Drive will be closed for entertainment from 3-10 p.m. to encourage RAGBRAI riders to stroll the downtown area and patronize our stores. “No parking” signs will be put in place by July 17.
The areas near Meuser’s, Lakeside and north of the school will be very busy with assigned luggage drop and charter bus loading areas; however with the exception of the entertainment and “pedestrian area” of River Park Drive all streets will be open, just very busy.
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On July 26 an estimated 20,000 people are expected to arrive in Guttenberg between 7 a.m.-4 p.m. This huge number includes 18,000 bike riders; 60+ bike clubs, most with multiple large trucks, trailers and semis transporting tents and luggage; and a large number of family members arriving to experience RAGBRAI, celebrate their loved one’s RAGBRAI completion and load them, their bike and their luggage for the trip back home.
On both weekends, Guttenberg RAGBRAI will be running shuttle vans from north to south Guttenberg to assist riders in moving from place to place.
During July 26, Guttenberg will have multiple streets closed to motorized traffic or designated as parking restricted. “These closures help keep the bikers safe, enables us to designate spaces for various bike clubs to meet their riders to retrieve their luggage from support buses, semis, big rigs, etc., and enables Guttenberg RAGBRAI shuttles to efficiently move riders between key RAGBRAI locations – dip site, parking, showers, eating establishments, etc.,” said local organizers.
•The south Guttenberg marina is the official dip site – it will be closed beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 24, for set up and will remain closed through 10 p.m. July 26.
•River Park Drive will be closed to motorized vehicles from DeKalb Street to Washington Street (600 N. River Park Drive) and there will be no parking allowed on River Park Drive in this area.
•Entry into the area near Meuser’s will be controlled by local RAGBRAI volunteers; vehicles of local residents and Meuser Lumber customers will be allowed in and out and only bike clubs that have been assigned to the area will be allowed in. The large long-term parking lots in those areas will also be emptying as riders arrive and get ready to depart. The bike clubs have been asked to enter via Koerner Street and exit via Schiller Street.
•The area of River Park Drive will similarly be controlled entry for clubs assigned to the area to access their designated parking sections north of school. River Park Drive residents will be allowed to move barricades to exit or access their homes; we just ask they replace the barricade after they’ve passed through it. No residential parking will be allowed on River Park Drive during RAGBRAI. Bike clubs assigned to River Park Drive have been asked to enter via Pearl Street, then First Street and onto Main Street and exit via Haydn Street.
•The area around Lakeside will also be very busy; the largest bike club and other clubs they work with will be located there. Additionally, the large long term parking lot will be emptying as riders retrieve their vehicles and depart. We have not designated any street closures or parking restrictions in that area.
•1st Street from Koerner Street (near Meusers) through Haydn Street (swimming pool) will be restricted to parking only on the WEST side. This helps the large trucks and shuttle vehicles to be able to get through and meet if necessary.
•Businesses will likely find parking for their employees to be a challenge on July 26. Side streets in the business district from 300 North River Park Drive and south and on First Street will have places to park early in the day but will fill as visitors arrive to celebrate their riders’ RAGBRAI end. Guttenberg RAGBRAI will have a lot at South 6th Street and Schiller – across the highway from the Allen Real Estate office and Bender’s. Shuttle vans will be transporting people from outlying areas uptown. “Your employees are welcome to and encouraged to park in that area and use the shuttles to get to their workplace,” say planners.
•”No parking” signs and other information signs will be put in place prior to Saturday, July 26.
•”We hope to remove barricades and parking restrictions at 2 p.m. At that point all the bike clubs should have arrived and set up in their locations. Traffic controllers will continue to assist traffic entering Highway 52 as long as needed,” said organizers.
