AMES, Iowa – June 15, 2011; 1:30 p.m. – The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is reporting the closure of southbound Interstate 29 at exit 10 (Iowa 2) due to flooding. The southbound I-29 closure extends to the U.S. 136 interchange near Rock Port, Mo.

Traffic from southbound I-29 is being directed to Iowa 2 east to U.S. 275 north back on Iowa 2 east to U.S. 71 south through Iowa into Missouri and U.S. 136 west to I-29 in Missouri.

Northbound I-29 is open between Rock Port, Mo., and Iowa exit 10 (Iowa 2). However, the Iowa and Missouri departments of transportation are working closely to monitor this very volatile situation. Northbound I-29 will be kept open as long as possible for local and emergency traffic. Other traffic is urged to find an alternate route around the flooding in southwest Iowa and northwest Missouri.

Alternative routes for northbound I-29 are as follows:

To reach destinations south of Council Bluffs, continue from U.S. 136 in Missouri to U.S. 71 north to Iowa 2 west to I-29 north. (I-29 north is closed north from exit 55 in Council Bluffs to exit 71 (U.S. 30 at Missouri Valley)).

Persons traveling to Sioux City can continue on U.S. 71 north to U.S. 20 west to Sioux City.

Persons traveling to Council Bluffs/Omaha should stay on U.S. 71 north to Iowa 2 west into Council Bluffs.

To avoid the impacted area of the I-29 corridor, the Iowa DOT is requesting interstate travelers use I-35 north in Kansas City through Iowa to I-90 west in Minnesota to I-29 south back into Iowa.