The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is reporting there have been no new road closures in western Iowa due to flooding. The department is continuing to monitor at-risk areas as flood water levels continue to rise.  There are several areas of concern to residents in our area that are worth noting, notably along I-29 in western Iowa.

The department offers an interactive road condition map with the latest information.  Click on the map for details

I-29 is closed north of Council Bluffs, Iowa to about Loveland.  Both directions are closed between milepost 55 in Council Bluffs and the I-680 interchange near Loveland.

I-680 is closed from the I-29/680 interchange (exit 61 near Crescent) in Iowa to North 30th Street in Omaha, Nebr. (exit 13). This closure includes the Mormon Bridge across the Missouri River.

The Iowa detour route for interstate roadways closed in this vicinity is: I-680 east from the I-29/I-680 interchange near Loveland to I-80, and then take I-80 southwest to Council Bluffs. Eastbound travelers on I-680 in Omaha that are intending to travel to Iowa must exit at North 30th Street (exit 13), continue south on North 30th Street to U.S. 75/I-480, and then continue south on I-480 to I-80 eastbound.

Several interchanges in the Sioux City area are making do without on and off ramps.
The Sioux interchange of I-29 at Hamilton Boulevard is making do without some of its ramps.  The southbound I-29 on and off ramps are closed. The northbound ramps remain open. An alternative ramp has been constructed from southbound I-29 to Wesley Parkway/U.S. 77.

The Iowa DOT reports these roadways are at risk of being impacted by flooding and are being closely watched.
I-29 near Blencoe: Two segments of I-29 are at risk of being impacted: (1) near milepost 103.5 south of Blencoe; and (2) near milepost 107 north of Blencoe.
I-29 and U.S. 30 near Missouri Valley: Locally sponsored agricultural levees provide some measure of protection for this area. Three highway segments are at most risk in this area: (1) U.S. 30 west of I-29 between mileposts 7 and 8; (2) U.S. 30 east of I-29 between mileposts 9 and 10; and (3) I-29 between mileposts 77 and 78.
I-29/I-680 interchange between mileposts 71-72 near Loveland: This interchange is presently part of the I-29 detour. It is expected to be covered with flood waters. A loss of this interchange will significantly impact I-29 travel along the entire highway corridor because it currently serves as a connector between the northern and southern portions of the route. The extent of the traffic impact on the multistate region is yet to be determined. It is dependent on what other Missouri River bridges and roadway segments along the corridor are eventually closed due to flooding.
I-29, U.S. 275 and Iowa 333 at Hamburg in Fremont County: Temporary repairs have been made to the levee in Atchison County, Mo., to delay a full breach. The timing of the closure of these roadways hinges on a full breach.

Undergoing further evaluation or being monitored are the following areas:
I-29 northbound off-ramp to Dace Avenue in Sioux City (exit 147B or commonly known as the Downtown/Tyson Events Center): Flood mitigation efforts will be deployed to try to keep this ramp open.
I-29 northbound and southbound lanes in Sioux City at the U.S. 77/Wesley Parkway underpass (between exits 148 and 149): Flood mitigation efforts will be deployed to try to prevent this low area from being flooded.
I-29, from south of Bellevue (milepost 39) to Hamburg (milepost 1): This area is at a lesser risk, but would be inundated if the levee is breached or overtopped.
Iowa 376 (U.S. 75 Business): The roadway from Gordon Drive to Third Street in Sioux City may be closed if current pumping efforts are not sustainable.

NEW: Missouri River crossings
The Iowa DOT is expecting the Missouri River crossings at the following locations to remain open during the flooding:
Sioux City: U.S. 77/U.S.20 to South Sioux City, Nebr.; and U.S. 20/U.S. 75 to Nebraska
Council Bluffs/Omaha: I-480 and I-80

For traveler assistance, call the Iowa DOT’s flood information call center 866-452-8510 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
For current updates on road conditions – 24 hours a day, visit www.511ia.org or call 511 (in Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (outside of the state).

You can also follow the Iowa DOT on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/iowadot/.
Travelers may call the Iowa DOT’s temporary flood hotline from 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily: 866-452-8510.