The Iowa Department of Transportation late Thursday released details on the planned, temporary closure of U.S. 30 between Interstate 29 (west of Missouri Valley) and the Missouri River (near Blair, Neb.), which is scheduled to begin next week. An accelerated work schedule and special traffic control measures are being employed to get traffic moving as quickly as possible.

Closure points
·  Western end – one mile east of the Missouri River (near Blair, Neb.)
·  Eastern end – approximately ½ mile east of Harrison County Road K-45
·  No access will be available to U.S. 30 from side roads, including Corning Avenue
and Harrison County Road K-45/Austin Avenue

The project will be completed in two stages.
Stage 1
·  Work during this stage will involve removal of granular material from the TrapBags, stockpiling of the material at various locations, disposal of the plastic bag material, broom and wash the surface of the pavement and paved shoulders, dispose of all sandbags and plastic materials, and place final pavement markings.
·  U.S. 30 will be closed to all traffic, around-the-clock, for five continuous days, beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 24.
·  Due to the importance of this highway and river crossing to regional traffic, the contract includes an incentive/disincentive provision. The contractor is allowed a maximum of five calendar days to complete the work. An incentive is available to the contractor for reopening the roadway in fewer calendar days. Liquidated damages would apply if the roadway is not opened within this period.
·  Because the contractor will be working quickly to restore traffic, it is unknown precisely when the road will be reopened to traffic. However, the closure is not expected to extend beyond 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29.
Stage 2
·  Repairs to the foreslopes and shoulders will be completed during this stage.
·  U.S. 30 will be open to single-lane traffic during daylight hours with use of flaggers and pilot cars. During nighttime hours, all lanes of U.S. 30 will be open to traffic by using a shoulder closure.
·  The contractor has 20 working days to complete this stage. Weather can impact available working days.
·  Contract specifications allow traffic control to be set up starting 30 minutes after sunrise, and must be taken down and off the roadway 30 minutes before sunset.

Detour: Persons wishing to cross the Missouri River may take the following detour on
the Iowa side of the river.
·  Starting at the I-29/U.S. 30 interchange near Missouri Valley
·  Travel south on I-29 to I-80
·  Then west on I-80 across the Missouri River into Omaha, Neb.

As a reminder, I-680 is closed from I-29 west to the Missouri River. This road is currently being rebuilt following the flooding.

The Audubon Police Department reports five western Iowa residents were arrested Wednesday on numerous drug charges. Police Chief David Simonsen said the arrests stemmed from an investigation into alleged drug activity, and the execution of a search warrant, at a residence in Audubon.

Among those taken into custody, Wednesday was: 25-year-old  Nina Gross of Audubon, who was charged with Possession of Marijuana, Gathering Where Drugs are Used/Marijuana, and Gathering Where Drugs are Used/Methamphetamine. 28-year-old Anthony Bruns of Manning, was charged with Possession of Marijuana, Gathering where Drugs are Used/Methamphetamine, Failure to Affix Drug Tax Stamp, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Knowingly keeping a Dwelling for the Purpose of Using a Controlled Substance. 38-year-old Chad Darrow of Denison, was charged with Gathering Where Drugs are Used/Methamphetamine, and Possession of Methamphetamine. 36-year-old Michael Stessman of Defiance, was charged with Possession of Marijuana/3^rd or Subsequent Offense, Possession of Methamphetamine/Subsequent Offense, and Gathering Where Drugs are Used/ Methamphetamine. And, 31-year-old Nickolas Schwenn of Denison, was charged with Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Gathering Where Drugs are Used/Methamphetamine.

All five suspects were booked into the Audubon County Jail and held pending an appearance before the magistrate. The Audubon Police Department was assisted in their investigation and arrests by deputies with the Audubon County Sheriff’s Department, and the County Attorney’s Office.

The new Iowa Economic Development Authority Board met today (Thursday) in Des Moines, with its members taking action on approving awards that will create up to 593 jobs in Iowa and retain another 105 jobs. The board approved incentives for planned or proposed projects located in Des Moines, Charles City, Fort Dodge, Coralville, Urbandale, Davenport, Underwood and Independence. The incentives went to companies whose business is in the areas of technology, manufacturing, food processing and biosciences.

In western Iowa, Link Snacks in Underwood was approved by the board for $40,000 in direct financial assistance plus tax incentives to Link Snacks, Inc., to expand it’s operations. The money will be used for the acquisition of an existing building in the city of Underwood to establish a second distribution center in Iowa for its products.

The company’s other center is in Laurens.  Link Snacks,Inc. is one of the fastest-growing meat snack manufacturers in the world, and sells their products in more than 40 countries.  This $9.4 million capital investment is expected to create 131 new jobs.

GLENWOOD, Iowa (AP) – A Glenwood man is being held on $25,000 bond after being charged in connection with the death of his 5-month-old son. Authorities say 35-year-old Jason Curtis was arrested Wednesday on Felony charges of child endangerment, neglect of a dependent person and willful injury. They say Curtis called for help on July 14th because his son was barely breathing. When emergency crews arrived they found the child unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at a Council Bluffs hospital. Special Agent in Charge with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Terry Klooster, says an autopsy showed Jackson Curtis died of head trauma. Klooster declined to say how the injury was inflicted because the investigation is continuing. Curtis appeared in court this (Thursday) morning.