The Iowa Interstate Railroad crossing at Finkbine Commuter Drive will close beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18, to undergo emergency repair. Iowa Interstate Railroad hopes to reopen the crossing by 5 p.m. the same day.
The closure also includes the pedestrian crossing and will affect some CAMBUS routes.
University of Iowa Parking and Transportation has made service adjustments to reduce the impact of the crossing closure, which is occurring at an unfavorable time for many in the university community.
Permit holders at Finkbine Commuter Parking Lot (Lot 65) and Arena Parking Lot (Lot 75) will receive information via email on Friday, Feb. 14, about how their commute might change and any alternative parking options for Tuesday, Feb. 18.
Traffic and motorist information
Travel delays and traffic congestion are anticipated on Melrose Avenue and Finkbine Commuter Drive. Please plan for extra travel time and use caution.
If needed, the UI Department of Public Safety will assist with traffic control and traffic flow at the intersection of Melrose Avenue and Finkbine Commuter Drive during morning and evening commute.
Electronic signs will be posted on Finkbine Commuter Drive to remind motorists of the closure.
Arena Parking Lot (Lot 75)
All traffic to Parking Lot 75 after 8:30 a.m. and until the crossing re-opens at 5 p.m. will need to arrive at and leave from the parking lot via Hawkins Drive. All entrances and exits for Parking Lot 75 will remain open.
Finkbine Commuter Parking Lot (Lot 65)
All traffic to Parking Lot 65 after 8:30 a.m. and until the crossing re-opens at 5 p.m. will need to arrive at and leave from the parking lot via Melrose Avenue.
CAMBUS information
The railroad crossing is expected to be closed through 5 p.m. Regular CAMBUS service will resume as soon as the crossing re-opens.
CAMBUS will use the alerts feature of the Transit app to send push notifications when route detours begin and when regular service resumes. The Transit app will also display the location of buses during the detour, although predictions may be unreliable. Using the live bus location in the app will help riders know when a bus will depart.
Riders are encouraged to download the app and “favorite” the routes they ride to receive the notifications. Announcements also will be posted to the CAMBUS Twitter account @uiowacambus and on the Parking and Transportation website, transportation.uiowa.edu.
Hospital Finkbine Arena Route
Before 8:30 a.m., regular weekday service will operate. Beginning at 8:30 a.m., the Hospital Finkbine Arena route will split into two temporary routes: Hospital-Finkbine and Hospital-Arena.
- "Hospital-Finkbine" will travel from Parking Lot 65 to the West Campus Transportation Center (WCTC) via Finkbine Commuter Drive and Melrose Avenue.
- Service until regular service resumes:
8:30 a.m. to 3:23 p.m. every 20 minutes
3:23 to 4 p.m. every 10 minutes
4 to 5 p.m. every 6-7 minutes
- Service until regular service resumes:
- "Hospital-Arena" will travel from Parking Lot 75 to the West Campus Transportation Center(WCTC) via Hawkins Drive.
- Service until regular service resumes:
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every 8-10 minutes
4 to 5 p.m. every 5 minutes
- Service until regular service resumes:
After 5 p.m., regular weekday service will resume for the Hospital Finkbine Arena route and the temporary Hospital and Hospital Arena routes will end.
Pentacrest Route
Before 8:30 a.m., regular weekday service will operate. Beginning at 8:30 a.m., the Pentacrest Route will not serve Finkbine stops, but will continue to serve Arena stops.
- To travel to Newton Road or downtown, riders from Finkbine will take the temporary Hospital Route to WCTC and transfer to the Red Route or Blue Route.
- Those traveling to Newton Road should transfer to a Red Route
- Those traveling to downtown should transfer to a Blue Route
- To return to Finkbine, riders will take the Red Route or Blue Route to WCTC and transfer to the temporary Hospital Route.
- Those traveling from Newton Road should take the Blue Route to WCTC.
- Those traveling from downtown should take the Red Route to WCTC.
After 5 p.m., regular weekday service will resume for the Pentacrest Route, including Finkbine service.
PM North Hospital Shuttle
PM North Hospital Shuttle that operates academic weekdays from 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. will be unable to serve Finkbine stops. PM North Hospital Shuttle route will instead provide service from the VA Loop, to Arena stops, and WCTC.
Pedestrian and cyclist information
The pedestrian railroad crossing will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pedestrians and cyclists should use an alternate route.
The university appreciates the patience and flexibility of the campus community in responding to this unexpected situation.
Questions
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Parking and Transportation.
Parking Services: parking-office@uiowa.edu (319) 335-1475
CAMBUS: cambus-transit@uiowa.edu (319) 335-8633