That didn’t last long: flooding in Iowa forces I-29 to close in northwest Missouri just after reopening

By BRENT MARTIN

St. Joseph Post

MoDOT photo of I-29 at the 104 mm in March.

The reopening of Interstate 29 in northwest Missouri was short-lived.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has closed I-29 after the Iowa Department of Transportation closed the interstate due to flooding north of the Missouri/Iowa state line.

MoDOT closed I-29 last night after floodwaters washed over U.S. Highway 59 near Mound City and then crept over the interstate. MoDOT reopened I-29 to one lane of traffic after the floodwaters receded.

An hour later, I-DOT reached out to MoDOT to coordinate the closing of the interstate after flooding forced its closing in southwest Iowa.

MoDOT officials say just as it has been with the previous two closures of I-29, traffic is being rerouted at U.S. Route 71 (mile marker 57). Motorists can expect delays and should choose a different route at their earliest possible turn-off point.

I-29 detour information:

Kansas City area thru traffic – use I-35 to Iowa
St. Joseph area thru traffic – use U.S. Route 71 north
Local traffic is able to utilize I-29 to reach their homes and businesses by either going north on U.S. Route 71 and west on U.S. Route 59 or northbound I-229 to northbound I-29.

MoDOT has been posting the latest on flooding in northwest Missouri on a special website. You can access it by clicking here.

MoDOT urges motorists to report any flooded roadway without barricades by calling MoDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service line at 888 ASK MODOT (1-888-275-6636).