Iowa DOT issues travel update – portions of interstate remain closed
Iowa Department of Transportation
AMES, Iowa – Dec. 12, 2010: 6:45 a.m. update – Due to blowing snow, travel is not recommended in all but the southeastern corner of the state, although the roads in that area are completely covered with snow and wind speeds are increasing.
Wind speeds in the far northwestern corner of the state have started to taper off somewhat. Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) snowplow operations will resume gradually from west to east after daylight and the winds begin to subside, allowing visibility to improve. Roads will be returned to normal winter operations as soon as possible.
Interstate closures
- Interstate 29: The southbound and northbound lanes from Missouri Valley to Sioux City are closed. The interstate mainline closure gate is lowered at Missouri Valley.
- Interstate 80: The eastbound and westbound lanes are closed from exit 121, Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines, to exit 8, near Council Bluffs.
Other road closures
Because snowplows were pulled from the roadways in many areas of the state, the condition of some roadways will remain unknown until crews are able to resume operations. However, it is likely many roads are impassable due to the high winds and snow that continued overnight. The following roads are known to be blocked.
- U.S. 52 – closed in both directions between Dubuque County Road D-10 (Rickardsville) and Iowa 136 (Luxemburg)
- Iowa 141 – closed in both directions between Iowa 175 (Mapleton) and Iowa 183 (near Ute)
For additional details on Iowa road conditions, visit www.511ia.org or call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide).
Iowa travel forecast: Snow will depart the eastern part of the state this morning. Strong winds will continue across the state today, but will slowly taper off. Low visibility can be expected in the open areas of central and eastern regions of Iowa this morning. All but the far western edge of the state remains under a blizzard warning. Hazardous wind chills of 10 to 20 below zero are expected over much of the area today and tonight.
Source: Iowa DOT
