Receding Missouri River floodwaters are exposing a debris-strewn Interstate 29 in southwest Iowa.
Iowa Transportation Department photographs show I-29 lanes near Hamburg and Percival covered with fallen cottonwood trees, branches, mud, sand, moss and other flotsam.
Flooding closed a 50-mile stretch of I-29 in southwest Iowa in June, and flood damage to I-29 is worse than what roads officials had hoped to see.
In addition to roadway debris, scour holes have been discovered at overpasses and bridges.
Bob Younie, maintenance chief for the Iowa Department of Transportation, said Tuesday that the state continues to plan two debris-removal projects next week.
Younie said crews are clearing debris off roads, assessing damage and making repairs as water recedes and areas are deemed safe. He has said that all roads ideally would be open by winter but makes no promises.
The bridge crossings to Iowa from the Nebraska communities of Nebraska City, Brownville and Rulo continue to be closed because of flooding on the Iowa and Missouri riverbanks.
Also, the Mormon Bridge at Omaha and the toll bridge at Decatur, Neb., remain closed because of flooding on the Iowa side.
Other flood updates:
* Floodwaters three- to five-feet deep continue to spread 3.5 to 5 miles out of the river channel in northwest Missouri, highway officials said.
* Iowa prison inmates continue to recover the sun- and heat-deteriorated plastic lining on the Ditch 6 levee at Hamburg. They also are putting down new lining to further protect the levee.
Contact the writer:
402-444-1127, david.hendee@owh.com
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