Missouri River flooding in Iowa and Missouri affecting I-29

[Foy]

The exact up-to-the-minute closures in Missouri are difficult to determine inasmuch as their DOT website is not following mouse commands to zoom in and out properly, but Iowa's "511" site seems up to date now. Bottom line:

Long segments of I-29 in the northwest corner of MO and the southwest corner of IA are currently affected by Missouri River flooding, including the entire segment between IA-2 (leading to NE-2, the shortcut to Lincoln, NE) and US 136 at Rock Port, MO, where Iowa DOT says closure will occur at any time, without further advance notice. Iowa now lists a number of segments of I-29 south from Council Bluffs to the Missouri line as closed in both directions as well as the I-680 crossing north of Omaha, where westbounders on I-80 bound for I-90 west would normally slant northwest. Iowa's website shows a detour for I-29 north traffic bound for I-80 and I-90 to take I-35 north out of Kansas City, MO to Des Moines, IA, where I-80 westbounders are directed to I-480 crossing to Omaha, NE, and I-90 westbounders are directed to remain on I-35 to Albert Lea, MN (!) reaching I-90 there and turning west, thereby avoiding crossing the Mighty Mo and avoiding its eastern shore floodplain entirely until Chamberlain, SD, where a high bridge carries I-90 over it.

This makes crossing at Kansas City, St Joseph, and possibly other MO to KS or MO to NE bridges of interest rather than the lengthy detours. That is, if the other crossings are elevated well above the floodplain, which is not the case in the southwest corner of Iowa. I'm working on what the alternatives may be, if any, for crossings between I-480 at Omaha and I-70

Foy

[Foy]

According to the Iowa DOT, I-29 is now closed between Iowa exit 10 (where Iowa Route 2, the shortcut connecting to Nebraska Route 2 intersects I-29) to Missouri exit 110 (US 136 at Rock Port, IA).

Just west of Rock Port, US 136 crosses the Missouri River via the Brownville Bridge, which had previously been restricted to one lane due to construction/repairs. Kansas City news sources say "expect big delays" at US 136. It is not clear if the expected crest is likely to close US 136 at some point.

Iowa DOT's notice goes on to say "this is expected to be a long-term Interstate closure".

Video clips from Omaha and Kansas City television stations show the large travel plazas at the IA-2/I-29 interchange with large earthen berms surrounding the buildings, the fuel pumps removed, and notes the businesses are "closed for the summer".

Reckon it's "Kansas City, here we come" for Southeast to Northwest Road Trippers, at least for a while.

Foy

[glc]

Looks like people should plan on I-70 to Denver, then I-25 to get to I-80 or I-90.

[DonnaR57]

Another report on the floods and how they are causing problems with state routes:

Donna

[glc]

We have a report now that says there are no open bridges across the river between Omaha and St. Joseph MO, and that I-29 will probably be closed till mid-August.

Essentially, you aren't going to be able to travel between KC, Omaha, and Sioux Falls (between I-70 and I-90) without significant detours. Plan your summer trips accordingly, the "official" I-29 through detour is I-35.

[Mark Sedenquist]

That sounds like a never-ending source of frustration for the Highway Patrol and others in the area.

Mark

[Omaha-Bound]

Which is the best way to go from St. Louis to Omaha with all the current flooding and heavy traffic? Should I take 63 North to I80 ot 65 North to I80 over to Omaha?

[mramsey]

Need to travel between Des Moines and the Black Hills next week. Is our best bet to take I-35 into MN to I-90? Anyone know if I-90 is closed at all near the intersection with I-29?

[glc]

Which is the best way to go from St. Louis to Omaha with all the current flooding and heavy traffic? Should I take 63 North to I80 ot 65 North to I80 over to Omaha?

I-29 is open between KC and St. Joe - then you can take US-71 to IA-92 to Council Bluffs, take the I-80 bridge over the river.

[glc]

Need to travel between Des Moines and the Black Hills next week. Is our best bet to take I-35 into MN to I-90? Anyone know if I-90 is closed at all near the intersection with I-29?

That's your best bet, and I-90 is fully open.