Dignitaries cut the ribbon for new US 20 beside the eastbound lanes near Early, Iowa, Nov. 21, 2012.
Early, Iowa — Early it certainly was, for me anyway, in reaching northwest Iowa to attend my second Highway 20 dedication ceremony. I got there just in time to see this, which turned out to be the only thing done outside besides the national anthem because it was too windy to hear everyone speak. This turned out to be a blessing because there were many speakers.
“We have been looking forward to this day for decades,” US Highway 20 Corridor Association president Shirley Phillips said after everyone regrouped at the Early United Methodist Church. U.S. Rep. Steve King, Gov. Terry Branstad, and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds followed with their own remarks.
“What you see out here is a much safer road,” DOT director Paul Trombino said. That safety was appreciated by the next speaker, Iowa Highway Commissioner Charese Yanney. She has a personal reason for wanting to see US 20 expanded to four lanes: she lost a family member in an accident at the US 20/59 intersection near Holstein. Her father started lobbying for a change, and that area was four-laned in 1962, far before nearly the entire rest of the route.
Other speakers included contractors and longtime advocates. Buck Boekelman brought M&Ms to meetings, signifying the need to complete the road between Moville and Moorland. Long before that, he expanded the view of US 20 as “Midwest connector” and promoted an increase in the gas tax.
After the reception, I drove the new route for the first time. Pictures and a trip report will come later.