U.S. 20 Corridor Association

US 20 Environmental Corridor

The US 20 Corridor Association has been working on this project since the 1960's. The legislators along the corridor have set US 20 as their number one priority.
The corridor is almost finished with less than 92 miles of this vital transportation link to complete. The gap left to complete is from Sioux City to Fort Dodge which would greatly enhance the transportation network for thousands of businesses.
This project would be leading the nation in completing a corridor that showcases native plantings including recreation and tourism which appears to be the Governor's and the Legislature's priority, as well as enhancing and promoting economic development.
The Corridor Association is composed of counties outside the immediate corridor area.
A four lane US 20 would provide a desperately needed east-west alternative to the overcrowded and dangerous I-80. This would also cut miles from the average trucker's route resulting in lower freight costs and speedier delivery.
US 20 cuts Iowa in ½ between I-80 and I-90 north of the Minnesota border.
US 20 will be a direct route to NAFTA without traveling through any mix masters or urban areas.
It's been proven by economic development officials that prospective businesses are interested in the nearest Interstate or 4-lane highway. As evidence of this, note the way the state has grown next to these transportation enhancements in the eastern portion of the state.
According to Vilsack's Iowa 2010 Strategic Plan - one of the actions identified was to achieve the development of the environmental corridor comprehensive plan for US 20 from Dubuque to Sioux City.
The Environmental Highway concept has gained great momentum as people realize that this corridor can serve not only as a transportation network but a tourism draw by highlighting our natural resources.
The states bordering Iowa are working on highway improvement projects to connect with this corridor. Improvements are planned from Nebraska and Illinois to Wisconsin to tie to US 20.
The corridor would be of great benefit to our agricultural industries. New ethanol plants being built near Galva and Cleghorn will need a network worthy of providing them with raw product as well as trucking the finished product. 50% of the Northwest Iowa billion dollar corn and soybean crop is shipped by truck.
The US 20 Corridor Association is a coalition of many groups: City and county officials, economic developers, Councils of Government, Chambers of Commerce, County Conservation Boards, DNR, DOT, Trees Forever, Iowa State University Department of Landscape Architects, University of Northern Iowa, trucking firms, industries and retail businesses, as well as interested citizens.

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