The City of Dubuque is encouraging residents and visitors attending the annual air show and fireworks on July 3 at A.Y. McDonald Park to plan for significant traffic and delays in the event area, especially after the event. Several construction projects in the area will require new detour routes and are expected to cause longer than usual traffic delays.

Assistant Police Chief Joe Messerich emphasized that public safety is the top priority and urged attendees to be patient and cautious. “Please plan for longer delays than past years, follow the instructions of police officers directing traffic in the area, and do not drive distracted or impaired,” Messerich said. “It only takes one poor choice to turn a celebration into a tragedy.”

Key traffic changes include the closure of the southbound on-ramp to U.S. Highways 61/151 from Kerper Blvd. due to a bridge deck overlay project. Southbound traffic will be detoured to the on-ramp at E. 9th St. Additionally, the southbound lanes of Kerper Blvd. near the 16th St. Detention Basin are closed for a flood gate replacement project, and Kerper Blvd. has a reduced traffic pattern due to construction of the Kerper Blvd. Sanitary Lift Station.

After the event, vehicle traffic will be held for at least 30 minutes to allow pedestrians to depart the area. Police will direct southbound traffic leaving the area to both lanes of Kerper Blvd. Fengler St. will be closed to vehicular traffic between Kerper Blvd. and Garfield Ave. following the event, and vehicle access to the Shiras Ave. Extension will be significantly restricted.

To view maps of the detours, visit https://www.cityofdubuque.org/DocumentCenter/View/60896/July-3-2025-Traffic-Maps.