This blog hasn’t done any coverage of the severe flooding in western Iowa, partially because it was ongoing, partially because I had other posts planned. But it’s clear that the highways over there are going to be a mess for the foreseeable future. The DOT has a list of closed roads and their status.
This pavement that’s only about five years old will have to be completely rebuilt.
U.S. 34 near the Missouri River Bridge has been heavily damaged by flooding and will likely remain closed for two months or more. This image is looking east in the westbound lanes taken on 3-28-2019. pic.twitter.com/llF62uBdiW
— Iowa DOT (@iowadot) March 28, 2019
I-680 west of I-29 had a flash-rebuild after the flooding in 2011 but is in good enough shape to go, the DOT says.
A state trooper saw a collapsed shoulder and lane on I-29 near Hamburg. Hamburg and Percival were drowned out.
Interstate 29 SB MM 3! @iowastatepatrol pic.twitter.com/ShaWcKohY1
— Trooper Miller (@TrooperScottISP) March 28, 2019
I-29, closed between St. Joseph and Glenwood, is officially detoured all the way over onto I-35 and I-80, but US 71 is a much more obvious relief route, as counties on that route have found out.