Julien Dubuque Bridge Closure Begins June 1

Detour map for traffic during the Julien Dubuque Bridge closure.

What You Need to Know

The Julien Dubuque Bridge (Hwy 20) connecting Dubuque, IA and East Dubuque, IL will be closed for major repairs beginning June 1, 2026.

  • Westbound traffic open and Eastbound traffic detoured: June 1 - July 3 and Aug 6 - Sept 15

  • Total closure: July 6 - Aug 5

  • During single lane closure stages: Single lane operations will not be allowed from 3 pm - 6 pm

  • Project includes: Structural repairs, painting, and deck improvements

What this means: Travel across the river will take longer—especially during busy summer weekends.

Official Detour Route & Travel Tips

Coming from Dubuque:

  1. Start on US Hwy 20 in Dubuque

  2. Head north to the IA–WI Bridge (US 61 / 151)

  3. Cross into Wisconsin

  4. Follow:

    • WI-11

    • WI-35 (south along the river)

  5. Cross into Illinois via IL-35

  6. Reconnect with US Hwy 20 in East Dubuque

Plan for:

  • Increased traffic on alternate routes

  • Longer drive times (10-20 minutes, depending on traffic)

  • Delays during peak travel times

Beat the Bridge Traffic

Stock up early. Celebrate often. Enjoy summer.

Huge Selection for Every Occasion

  • Ice-cold beer, including domestic, craft & imports

  • Wines for happy hour, dinner and special celebrations

  • Liquor, seltzers & ready-to-drink favorites

Whether you're planning a large event or a casual weekend, you’ll find everything you need in one stop.

Hosting a Big Event?

Make it easy on yourself:

  • Buy in bulk and save time

  • Shop before peak weekends

  • Grab everything in one trip

  • Let us know if we can help you with the planning

We're Easy to Reach (Even During Detours)

We’re still a convenient stop for customers coming from:

  • Dubuque

  • East Dubuque

  • Platteville & Southwest Wisconsin

  • Galena & Northwest Illinois

No matter your route, we’re worth the stop.

Stay Updated

We’ll keep this page updated with the latest information on:

  • Closure timelines

  • Traffic changes

  • Travel tips

Check back before your next trip to plan ahead.