Dubuque, Iowa — Motorists in Dubuque County should prepare for a full road closure on Fairway Road beginning Wednesday, May 13, 2026, as contractors conduct drilling work at a bridge located approximately 0.75 miles north of the Highway 151 intersection.

According to a notification from Dubuque County, the closure is part of a construction project that will affect a 1.63-mile section of Fairway Road between Hunt Road and Highway 151. While the initial notice referenced a potential start on Tuesday, May 12, an updated advisory issued on May 12 confirms the work is now scheduled to begin the following day. The road will be completely closed at the bridge site during daytime hours for an estimated 1–2 days, weather permitting.

Work hours are expected to run from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. During this period, through traffic will not be possible at the bridge location.

Project Details and Purpose

The closure is necessary to allow contractors to perform drilling (boring) operations at the bridge. Such work is commonly part of infrastructure maintenance, repair, or upgrade projects—often related to utilities, structural assessments, or bridge reinforcements. Specific technical details about the scope of the drilling were not released in the county notification, but bridge-related boring frequently involves installing or inspecting underground conduits, drainage systems, or foundation elements.

Traffic Impact and Detour Considerations

•  Affected Area: Fairway Road will be fully closed at the bridge for the duration of the daytime work window. The broader 1.63-mile segment from Hunt Road to Highway 151 will be impacted.

•  Duration: 1–2 days, dependent on weather conditions. The project is limited to daytime hours, which may allow limited local access or reopening outside work windows, though the county has described the road as “completely closed” at the work site during operations.

•  Travelers: Commuters, local residents, and commercial traffic relying on this connector route between rural areas and Highway 151 should seek alternate routes. Drivers are urged to check real-time updates via the Dubuque County website, local transportation apps, or the county’s road alert systems before traveling.

No official detour route was detailed in the notification. Residents in the immediate vicinity may experience increased traffic on parallel roads as drivers reroute, particularly during peak morning and afternoon hours.

Safety and Recommendations

County officials remind the public to slow down and obey all posted signage, barricades, and flaggers near the construction zone. Attempting to bypass closures can create dangerous situations for workers and other motorists.

Tips for drivers:

•  Plan trips in advance and allow extra time.

•  Use major arteries like Highway 151 and well-maintained county roads as alternatives.

•  Avoid the area if possible during the 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. window on Wednesday and potentially Thursday.

•  Monitor updates, as weather delays could shift the schedule.

This short-term closure reflects ongoing efforts to maintain critical infrastructure in Dubuque County. Bridge and roadway projects, while disruptive, help ensure long-term safety and reliability for residents and visitors.

Updates will be posted by Dubuque County Engineering as the project progresses. For the latest information, visit the county’s official road notification channels or contact the Dubuque County Engineer’s Office.

This is a developing situation. Additional details on detours or extended timelines may be released as work begins.