Our Mission
Statement of Purpose
Individuals from Des Moines, Henry, Lee, Louisa, and Muscatine Counties, Iowa and Clark County, Missouri have joined together to form a regional coalition to be known as the “Highway 61 Coalition” (hereinafter referred to as the “Coalition”) to promote transportation and economic development. The Coalition is a non-profit, bipartisan organization. Specific functions include promotion of four-lane improvement of U.S. Highway 61 from Keokuk, Iowa to Muscatine, Iowa, by working with personnel of the Iowa Departments of Transportation to develop necessary economic, demographic and usage information to support the program; to contact and liaise with appropriate elected officials to gain support for the project; and to keep local residents informed of progress and gain support from these residents. Economic development functions include activities conducted on a regional basis in support of economic development efforts in the individual counties.
Completing US61 is a Priority Project
Saving Lives: The accident rate on Iowa US61 is four times the state average.
Major Transportation corridor:
-Primary routing for the trucking industry.
-Significant factor in attracting business and industry.
-Deal-breaker for international investment.
Major Center for Shipping: Tri-State area of Southeast Iowa, Northeast Missouri and West-Central Illinois is ideally positioned for the establishment of a major shipping point in the interior of the nation.
Impacts Regional Economic
Development in Iowa: Passes through or intersects with twenty-plus communities to include Keokuk, Ft. Madison, Burlington/West Burlington, Muscatine, Davenport/Bettendorf, Clinton, Maquoketa and Dubuque.
Important north-south route:
-Total of 1,714 miles established before the interstate system,
-Designated US61 from New Orleans to Duluth, Minnesota (1,400 miles) and,
-Minnesota State MN61 from Duluth to Canada (314 miles).
Intermodal development:
Air-passenger service available from; Quad Cities International, Burlington and Dubuque Regional,
Trailways bus-passenger service available from; Burlington, Davenport, Fort Madison, Keokuk, Mediapolis, Muscatine and Wapello,
Amtrak rail terminals located at; Burlington and Ft. Madison and,
River commerce; 57 Barge Terminals & Port Authorities are located in Iowa on the Mississippi River.
Major player in the Tourism Industry
-Follows Mississippi River and promotes natural wonders in the Heart of America,
-Showcases more than 60 museums and interpretive centers in a ten-state region,
-Scenic Byway designated Great River Road through much of course,
-Known also as the Blues Highway in recognition of the music.
Contact Your Officials
Dennis Cohoon
State Representative, House District 87
Democrat, Burlington
Email: dennis.cohoon@legis.iowa.gov
Standing Committees: Agriculture, Ethics, State Government, Transportation
Thomas A. Greene
State Senator, House District 44
Republican, Burlington
Email: tom.greene@legis.iowa.gov
Standing Committees: Appropriations, Human Resources, Local Government (Vice Chair)
Joe Mitchell
State Representative, House District 84
Republican, Mount Pleasant
Email: joe.mitchell@legis.iowa.gov
Standing Committees: Commerce, Judiciary, State Government (Vice Chair)
Jeff Kurtz
State Representative, House District 83
Democrat, Keokuk
Email: jeff.kurtz@legis.iowa.gov
Standing Committees: Labor, Public Safety, Transportation, Ways and Means
David Kerr
State Representative, House District 88
Republican, Morning Sun
Email: david.kerr@legis.iowa.gov
Standing Committees: Agriculture, Appropriations, Education,
Public Safety
Rich Taylor
State Senator, House District 42
Democrat, Mount Pleasant
Email: rich.taylor@legis.iowa.gov
Standing Committees: Agriculture, Judiciary,
Labor and Business Relations, Veterans Affairs (Ranking Member)