2010-2011 Archives

Sac County Photographs
This news release was added to the website on September 2, 2010

Highway 20 Aerial Photographs
This news release was added to the website on July 20, 2010

Photographs from the Sac County Highway 20 Groundbreaking Ceremony.
This news release was added to the website on July 20, 2010

Construction at Big Cedar Creek in Sac County on July 9, 2010
This news release was added to the website on July 20, 2010

US 20 in the News
This news release was added to the website on July 19, 2010

Highway 20 construction moving west
Fort Dodge Messenger – June 22, 2010
http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/525704.html

US 20 expansion in northwest Iowa
Radio Iowa – June 22, 2010
http://www.radioiowa.com/2010/06/22/us-20-expansion-in-northwest-iowa/

Highway 20 advocates fear further delays
Sioux City Journal – July 10, 2010
http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/article_6107d42e-653e-521b-9932-28b2c0f29996.html

U.S. Highway 20 road project lacks money for finish
Des Moines Register – July 13, 2010
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100713/NEWS/7130358/1001/NEWS/U.S.-Highway-20-road-project-lacks-money-for-finish

Four-lane US 20 Groundbreaking Marks Sac County Grading Start
For Immediate Release: June 23, 2010

Lytton, Iowa – US 20 Corridor Association board members and their guests celebrated the beginning of grading for relocated four-lane US 20 in Sac County on June 21. Association President Shirley Phillips also serves as executive director of Sac Economic and Tourism Development and said she had been working to see this day for 22 years, less than some of her fellow board members.

“Personally, I have been waiting for the first dirt to be turned here in Sac County for decades – I know many of you feel the same. We are excited and anxious to watch progress as we anticipate the promise this project offers our county,” Phillips stated. She welcomed guests at the Lytton American Legion Hall where the event was held due to extremely wet and muddy conditions where the new road will be built.

Congressman Steve King participated in the groundbreaking ceremony as well. “Today we celebrate a major milestone in the effort to complete a four-lane US Highway 20 from Sioux City all the way to Dubuque and on to Chicago,” he said. “For decades, western Iowans have been pushing for this vital transportation link to be four-laned. I will continue to do all I can to keep it moving until we cut the ribbon on the final mile of four-lane Highway 20. There is still much work to be done, but today is a day to celebrate the incredible amounts of hard work and tireless effort that have brought the beginnings of a new, four-lane Highway 20 to the 5th Congressional District.”

While Congressman King, along with fellow members of the Iowa delegation in Washington, D.C., have been steadfast in their support of four-lane US 20, their efforts have been magnified by action in the Iowa Legislature. State Senator Daryl Beall of Fort Dodge spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony and discussed Access Iowa Highways. This bi-partisan legislation made it state law to make connecting cities of 20,000 or more population with four-lane highways a priority. “I made the comment at the time, the only road it applies to is the one connecting Fort Dodge and Sioux City,” Beall remarked.

Beall also pointed out the unique partnership existing at the federal, state, and local levels regarding support for four-lane US 20, saying it is a truly bi-partisan and noteworthy effort. State Representative Gary Worthan also shared his support for the project and recalled childhood memories of the intent to build four-lane US 20. “I am ready for the day we lay the last golden rebar on four-lane US 20,” he commented.

Other dignitaries attending the event included Iowa Department of Transportation Commissioners Barry Cleaveland and Debi Durham. Both shared their support for statewide four-lane US 20 and Durham specifically addressed the economic development benefits of improved transportation infrastructure. Sac County Supervisor Dean Stock drew parallels between the expansion of US 20 with the building of the railroads in the region in the late 1800s.

Iowa DOT District 3 Engineer Tony Lazarowicz provided an update on current and planned construction activities on the four-lane US 20 corridor in Webster, Calhoun, Sac, and Woodbury Counties. John P. Moyna, owner of C. J. Moyna & Sons, talked about his firm’s history of grading on relocated four-lane US 20 in Iowa and his appreciation for the US 20 Association advocating for a highway project, suggesting the group get involved with other corridors in need in the state.

The US 20 Corridor Association will hold its next regular meeting on Friday, July 9 in Sioux City. The City of Sioux City and SIMPCO are hosting the meeting at the Long Lines Family Rec Center (former Municipal Auditorium). The meeting will begin at 10:00 am and agenda items include election of board members and officers. Guests are welcome.

For more information on the US 20 Corridor Association or the July 9th meeting, visit www.4lane20.com.

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Photo attached: Congressman Steve King, State Senator Daryl Beall, State Representative Gary Worthan (l to r)

For more information: Contact Ann Trimble-Ray at 712-273-5745

Four-lane US 20 Groundbreaking in Sac County Set for June 21
For Immediate Release:  June 16, 2010
This news release was added to the website on June 16, 2010

Lytton, Iowa – The rescheduled groundbreaking for four-lane US 20 in Sac County will take place on Monday, June 21, at 1:30 pm. The event is hosted by the US 20 Corridor Association, with cooperation from the Iowa Department of Transportation and contractor C.J. Moyna and Sons.

Confirmed speakers for the ceremony include Congressman Steve King, State Representative Gary Worthan, Iowa Department of Transportation Commissioners Barry Cleaveland and Debi Durham, and John P. Moyna, owner of C.J. Moyna and Sons. They will be joined by local dignitaries and greetings will be shared from State Senators Daryl Beall and Steve Warnstadt as well as State Representative Dave Tjepkes. Representatives of Senator Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin along with Congressman Tom Latham will be present, also.

The groundbreaking ceremony will take place on the right-of-way for relocated four-lane US 20 north of Lytton off county road N-28. Parking will be available at a farm place north of the groundbreaking site as well as along 240th Street, a gravel road, also to the north. Transportation will be available to take guests to and from parking areas to the site.

More information on the US 20 Corridor Association, contact Phillips at 712-662-7383 or Heartland Marketing Group at 712-273-5745.

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For more information, contact: Ann Trimble-Ray at 712-273-5745

The following map is not to scale.

Four-lane US 20 Groundbreaking in Sac County Rescheduled for June 21
This news release was added to the website on June 3, 2010

The groundbreaking for four-lane US 20 in Sac County has been rescheduled for Monday, June 21, at 1:30 pm. The event was postponed due to rain making the site inaccessible. Hosted by the US 20 Corridor Association, with cooperation from the Iowa Department of Transportation and contractor C.J. Moyna and Sons, the ceremony marks the beginning of construction of four-lane US 20 in Sac County.

Confirmed speakers for the ceremony include Congressman Steve King, State Representative Gary Worthan, Iowa Department of Transportation Commissioners Barry Cleaveland and Debi Durham, and John P. Moyna, owner of C.J. Moyna and Sons. They will be joined by local dignitaries and greetings will be shared from State Senators Daryl Beall and Steve Warnstadt as well as State Representative Dave Tjepkes. Representatives of Senator Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin along with Congressman Tom Latham will be present, also.

“This groundbreaking ceremony gives us the opportunity to celebrate the westward progress of four-lane US 20 in Iowa,” remarked Shirley Phillips, president of the US 20 Corridor Association and executive director of Sac County Economic and Tourism Development. “We invite the public to join us in marking the occasion and look forward to seeing four-lane US 20 reach Early by 2013.”

The groundbreaking ceremony will take place on the right-of-way for relocated four-lane US 20 north of Lytton off county road N-28. Parking will be available along N-28 as well as at a farm place north of the groundbreaking site.

More information on the US 20 Corridor Association, contact Phillips at 712-662-7383 or Heartland Marketing Group at 712-273-5745.

US 20 Groundbreaking Postponed
Event will be rescheduled
This news release was added to the website on June 1, 2010

Due to the likelihood of severe weather tonight and continuing into tomorrow morning, the US 20 Corridor Association has postponed the groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for tomorrow, June 2nd. The site is bare ground and any amount of rain will make it inaccessible. A new date and time for the groundbreaking is being set and will be announced as soon as possible.

“While our event will be postponed, construction will not be delayed at other sites on the new alignment in Sac County,” remarked Shirley Phillips, president of the US 20 Corridor Association and executive director of Sac County Economic and Tourism Development. “We will conduct our groundbreaking ceremony on the roadbed north of Lytton off N-28 while the contractor proceeds with preparatory projects in the meantime.”

Guests are welcome to attend the rescheduled groundbreaking ceremony when announced. Parking will be along County Road N-28 with guests urged to pull onto the shoulder as far off the traveled portion as possible.

More information on the US 20 Corridor Association, contact Phillips at 712-662-7383 or Heartland Marketing Group at 712-273-5745.

Four-lane US 20 Groundbreaking in Sac County Set for June 2
This news release was added to the website on May 28, 2010
Site located north of Lytton on N-28

The US 20 Corridor Association, with cooperation from the Iowa Department of Transportation and contractor C.J. Moyna and Sons, will host a groundbreaking ceremony on June 2 at 11:00 am. The ceremony marks the beginning of construction of four-lane US 20 in Sac County.

Confirmed speakers for the ceremony include State Senators Daryl Beall (Fort Dodge) and Steve Warnstadt (Sioux City), State Representative Dave Tjepkes (Gowrie), and other Sac County dignitaries. John Moyna, owner of C.J. Moyna and Sons, will be speaking along with a representative from the Iowa DOT as well.

Greetings have been sent from Senators Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin as well as U.S. Representatives Steve King and Tom Latham.

“As progress toward completing statewide four-lane US 20 continues, we are excited to see construction begin in Sac County,” remarked Shirley Phillips, president of the US 20 Corridor Association and executive director of Sac County Economic and Tourism Development. “We look forward to watching construction here. The DOT Five Year Plan has the four-lane complete to Early by the end of 2013.”

Guests are welcome to attend the groundbreaking ceremony. The Sac County Sheriff’s Department and Iowa State Patrol will be on site providing direction. Parking will be along County Road N-28 with guests urged to pull onto the shoulder as far off the traveled portion as possible.

More information on the US 20 Corridor Association, contact Phillips at 712-662-7383 or Heartland Marketing Group at 712-273-5745.

US 20 Association Will Hold Regular Meeting on May 14
This news release was added to the website on April 29, 2010
Plans for groundbreaking in Sac County will be discussed
For Immediate Release: April 27, 2010

Sac City, Iowa – The US 20 Corridor Association will hold their regular bi-monthly meeting on Friday, May 14, 2010. The meeting will take place in the basement meeting room of Iowa State Bank in Sac City, 5th and Audubon Streets, beginning at 10:00 am. The public is welcome to attend.

Included on the agenda will be planning for a groundbreaking ceremony marking the beginning of grading for relocated four-lane US 20 in Sac County. The bid was let by the Iowa Department of Transportation on April 20, 2010, with C. J. Moyna & Sons of Elkader, Iowa, being the apparent low bidder. The Association has been in contact with DOT and the contractor; they expect timing for the groundbreaking event to be the end of May.

As construction begins in Sac County, it fulfills the schedule set by the Iowa DOT Commission for the four-lane roadway to reach US 71 at Early by the end of 2013. Members of the Association are hopeful initial construction west of US 71 will be included in the draft Five Year Plan from the DOT to be unveiled in May 2010 and approved in June 2010. There are just 44 miles of two-lane US 20 in western Iowa left to be upgraded to a four-lane facility.

The Association will also hear legislative updates as well as select a nominating committee to prepare a roster of officers for election at the July 2010 meeting.

The US 20 Corridor Association is made up of representatives of business, industry, economic development groups, chambers, and concerned citizens all advocating for the completion of statewide four-lane US 20 in Iowa.

US 20 Association Meeting Set for March 12
This news release was added to the website on March 1, 2010
Progress continues on four-lane highway expansion

For Immediate Release: February 26, 2010

Early, Iowa – The US 20 Corridor Association will hold their regular bi-monthly meeting on Friday, March 12, 2010. The meeting will begin at 10:00 am at The Center, 112 N Main Street, in Early. Agenda items include a review of Transportation Day 2010 at the Iowa State Capitol, federal transportation legislation, as well as progress on four-lane US 20 in Calhoun County.

“The Iowa DOT tells us everything is on schedule for four-lane US 20 to reach Early by 2013,” remarked Shirley Phillips, president of the Association and executive director of Sac Economic and Tourism Development. “We know bids are being let on schedule and anticipate activity to begin again when this winter finally ends.”

The US 20 Corridor Association advocates for four-lane US 20 in Iowa. Current plans call for the road to be a four-lane facility from Dubuque to Early by 2013. Survey and design work is ongoing from Early to Moville, the final 42-mile segment to be upgraded to four-lane status.

More information on the Association can be gained by visiting www.4lane20.com or by calling Association President Shirley Phillips at 712-662-7383.

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For more information: Contact Ann Trimble-Ray at 712-273-5745

How Taking $50 Million from RUTF Affects Counties
(2.3mb pdf file, opens in a new tab or window)
This news release was added to the website on February 2, 2010

TIME 21 Critical Funding and Proposed RUTF Diversion (opens in a new tab or window)
This news release was added to the website on January 27, 2010

2010 Transportation Day at the Capitol
This news release was added to the website on January 18, 2010
More Information (opens in a new tab or window)