The Iowa Department of Transportation reopened Interstate 29 from milepost 55 in Council Bluffs to milepost 71 near Loveland (I-680 interchange) Friday evening. The 16-mile stretch of interstate has been closed since June 9 due to the Missouri River flooding.


Significant work has been accomplished over the last few weeks to quickly reopen the road, including removal of tons of debris and hazardous materials, scraping the sludge from the roadway surface and hauling it away, power washing the pavement, testing the subsoil for stability, checking for voids under the pavement, and making repairs.

As the Omaha World-Herald reports, much of I-680 is still closed, and officials expect repairs to take much of the rest of the year. Interstate 29 remains closed south of Pacific Junction and almost to St. Joseph, Mo.

More info: www.iowadot.gov/floods/index.html