Dick Drake Way to close for crossing replacement in Muscatine

Dick Drake Way in Muscatine will be closed to all traffic Oct. 12-19 to allow Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Railroad crews to replace the mainline rail crossing, a project requiring a full shutdown to ensure worker and driver safety, a news release says.

The closure will run from U.S. Highway 61 to Stewart Road. Only local traffic will be allowed past those intersections. Drivers will be directed to use one of two marked detours:

• Grandview Avenue route (southbound detour) — From the U.S. 61 bypass to Grandview Avenue, then Oregon Street, Stewart Road, 41st Street, and back to U.S. 61.
• 41st Street route (northbound detour) — From U.S. 61 to 41st Street, then Stewart Road, Oregon Street, Grandview Avenue, and back to the U.S. 61 bypass.

The full closure is necessary to protect railroad crews working directly on the mainline and to prevent vehicles from entering an active construction zone. Drivers should follow posted detour signs, reduce speeds near work areas, and remain alert for workers and equipment.

All work is weather-dependent, and the schedule is subject to change if conditions prevent safe construction.

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