Inside Iowa State

July 16, 2008

Some traffic, parking changes on RAGBRAI routes

At least 20,000 RAGBRAI riders will roll into campus July 22 on the third day of The Des Moines Register's annual border-to-border bike ride. The RAGBRAI route will take bicyclists directly through central campus. They'll ride in from the north via Stange Road, go straight south through the Pammel Drive intersection and continue through campus via Osborn, Morrill, Union and Welch roads.

The bikers will follow Welch to the Wallace and Wilson residence hall towers and designated camping areas at the ISU cross country course and open spaces surrounding the towers. An east-side camping area also is designated in the grass football tailgating lots at University Boulevard and South 16th Street.

Traffic, parking changes

Some changes in traffic patterns, parking arrangements and everyday business routines will be necessary on Tuesday to ensure safety for the riders and the campus community. Here is a summary of the key changes on campus:

• No parking or through traffic will be permitted on the RAGBRAI route* through campus between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• No CyRide buses will operate on the designated bike route during those hours. However, modified bus routes will be used to help riders access central campus.
• Parking Division staff will work directly with parking permit holders in all affected areas.
• DPS is working with private companies, ISU Dining, FP&M, postal and parcel and others to modify delivery schedules.
• Staff who work at ASB, EH&S, 4-H and Library Storage will have limited or delayed access to Stange Road during peak times.
• Stange Road and Pammel Drive traffic will be congested since it is close to the main campus entrance for riders. Staff and faculty who normally park in the northwest portion of campus will be routed west on Pammel Drive during the work day.

Lots going on

Among numerous activities planned for riders and the Ames community are international food displays, dancing exhibitions, campus tours, live music, and the RAGBRAI CYcling Country Festival at the Iowa State Center.

Farewell traffic jam

Bikers will head out of town early Wednesday, making their way to Tama-Toledo. The route will take them from the campgrounds to South 16th Street, Dayton Avenue and Lincoln Way. Drivers should be aware that early morning traffic will be impacted by groups of cyclists crossing at the South 16th Street intersections with University Boulevard and South Duff Avenue. Alternate routes are recommended (13th Street exit off I-35 and South Dakota Avenue exit off Highway 30), especially from 5 to 10 a.m.

More about RAGBRAI in Ames

More information about RAGBRAI's Ames stop an be found at these sites:

• Ames/ISU RAGBRAI
• Campus route and road closures (PDF)
• Schedule of events (PDF)
• Transportation and activity map (PDF)

* Route -- Stange Road to Osborn Drive, west on Osborn to Morrill Road, south on Morrill to Union Drive, west on Union to Welch Road and south on Welch to the RAGBRAI campgrounds.