Cedar Rapids mail delivery times change as volume shrinks

Mail delivery times are changing for about 33,000 postal patrons in Cedar Rapids as the U.S. Postal Service adjusts to shrinking mail volumes.

Mail volume has declined by about 12 percent over last year in the U.S. Postal Services Hawkeye District. Volume has declined by about the same amount in Cedar Rapids, according to Brad Meskimen, manager of customer service at the Northeast Postal Substation in Cedar Rapids.

No routes are being eliminated in the current reorganization, Meskimen said. That's partly because routes were taken out after the June 2008 flood in Cedar Rapids reduced the number of customers, and some of those mailing addresses are now being reactivated.

Meskimen said the changes in delivery times will be relatively minor. He said adjustments to the route system will be completed in about one week.