The old Dixie Bros. grill now has a downtown address after a truck slowly hauled the diner to its new home Wednesday night, backing up traffic all along the route.

Owners hope to open the restaurant by Aug. 1, said partner Paul Van Bockern.

The move from 26th Street and Shirley Avenue took the 100-foot diner down a path that blocked traffic on all streets it crossed. It took more than an hour to move it down Shirley Avenue to Interstate 29 and down 10th Street all the way to Phillips Avenue.

Dixie Bros., originally the Market Diner, closed last August. The land recently was purchased by a partnership headed by C.A. Rickert and Associates and Lloyd Cos. They're planning a four-story building with loft apartments and retail.

WR Restaurants Management had until July 1 to move the building.

A truck hauled the diner under 64 tires at about 5 miles per hour. Men from the moving company worked with pieces of wood underneath the truck while it moved slowly to get it from the parking lot where it stood over grass and a sidewalk onto Shirley Avenue. It took about half an hour to get the structure from the lot to the interstate a few blocks away.

Officers from the police and sheriff's departments kept traffic blocked off with motorcycles and squad cars. At times, traffic was rerouted to parking lots and other streets.

Eight police officers were on hand, said Sgt. David Erickson. To move such a structure, especially through main streets and the interstate, requires notifying the police and power companies as well.

As the load moved up the highway, both lanes of traffic headed north from 26th Street to 12th Street were closed for about 15 minutes, at one point holding up traffic for at least one exit behind.

On 12th Street, traffic was backed up for blocks in both directions.

Workers from Xcel Energy held lines to keep them from getting caught on the structure and moved lights from the path of the truck.

Dozens of spectators pulled over on bridges and intersections and watched from car windows. Some stopped to take pictures.

The diner will be secured to a foundation today, Van Bockern said.

Before the project is complete, walk-in storage coolers and a new entryway will be added.

Originally published online here: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050602/BUSINESS/506020313/1003