Hawkeyes will not use First Avenue to get to Kinnick

Johnson County - Extensive road work on Coralville's First Avenue will force the University of Iowa football team to seek an alternate route for its state patrol-escorted bus arrival this year.

Coralville Chief of Police Barry Bedford said Thursday afternoon that the concern about the road width near the First Avenue Clear Creek Bridge led University of Iowa officials and police to decide against the traditional game route.

Which route the Hawkeyes will use to get to Kinnick on home game days is undecided.  The Iowa State Patrol makes that decision and there was not a representative present during Thursday's meeting.  University of Iowa Associate Athletics Director Paula Jantz said the "route could change from game to game depending on traffic."

Bedford said game goers will still be able to use First Avenue.  Police officers will be on hand to make sure commuters can move through the area "quickly."  

The construction is part of the City of Coralville's First Avenue  Clear Creek Bridge and Reconstruction projects that are scheduled to finish in December.