The Atlantic RAGBRAI Organizing Committee is urging all residents to use caution while driving on Sunday, July 24 and Monday, July 25 while in the Atlantic Area. Cyclists will be traveling into Atlantic on Highway 6 from Lewis on Sunday, July 24. The cyclists will also be traveling throughout town to reach campsites and private homes.

“We’d encourage everyone to avoid Highway 6 entirely on that day,” says Steve Green, Atlantic Chief of Police. “There will be a number of other closures and high-traffic areas that should also be avoided.”

All RAGBRAI support vehicles will use I-80 Exit 57, which is Olive Street. The traffic will come into Atlantic on Olive and then be directed to their campgrounds from Olive Street. Due to the large number of support vehicles, local traffic should avoid Exit 57 and Olive Street.

“Obviously, 7th and Olive is going to be a very busy intersection,” says Green. “We’ll have officers and volunteers directing traffic all over town, but we’d urge our locals to avoid these areas if at all possible.”

Other areas of congestion include 10th Street between Olive and Highway 6, Sunnyside Park, Cass County Fairgrounds, and Roosevelt Drive.

On Monday, July 25, the riders will be leaving Atlantic by traveling from Sunnyside Lane to 6th Street, north on Front Street, and then proceeding north on Marne Road (Highway 173) to Elk Horn.
“My best advice is that locals should keep up on RAGBRAI announcements in the newspaper and on local radio stations,” says Green. “Think through your route to work and home on Sunday and Monday, and try to avoid the cyclists whenever possible so that we can keep everyone safe.”

For a map of all RAGBRAI events, campgrounds, and more information, please visit www.atlanticiowa.com/ragbrai.

(Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Press Release)