Street closures approved for RAGBRAI route through Newton

Street closures for the RAGBRAI route through Newton were approved by the city council during its June 5 meeting.

To ensure the safety of Newton citizens and the thousands of cyclists visiting town, the city has determined 36 safety closures are needed along the route and event spaces. However, the city does not own enough of the property barricades or the staff to install them. Quotes were sought to provide and install barricades.

Advanced Traffic Control, of Fairfax, will be paid $12,400 from the fiscal year 2023 Hotel/Motel revenues. The quote also includes two message boards for the week leading up to the event to inform motorists of the scheduled closures. Cyclists are scheduled to visit Newton on July 27.

The entry point to the city will be Highway F-48 West/First Avenue West. Cyclists will travel on First Avenue West to West Eighth Street North, then to North Second Avenue West/East, then to East Third Street North, then to First Avenue East and then exit city limits on First Avenue/Highway 6.

There will be road closures all along the route, as well the following blocks for event space:

• The 100 blocks of East Second Street North, First Street North, West Second Street North, West Third Street North and West Fourth Street North;

• The 200 blocks of West Third Street North and West Fourth Street North;

• And the 200 block of North Third Avenue West.

The RAGBRAI committee has also requested the use of city-owned parking lots at 422 N. Second Ave. W. and 220 N. Second Ave. W. for food truck parking and cyclist support tents, as well as the city-owned green space at 224 W. Third St. N. for use as a beer garden and gathering space.