Officials with the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Council Bluffs office are reporting good news for those planning on traveling southbound on Interstate 29 in Council Bluffs in the coming months. According to the DOT, the new southbound I-29 bridge is scheduled to open the morning of Friday, Oct. 10, weather permitting. Traffic will use this new southbound I-29 bridge to merge with eastbound I-80 on the right when traveling through the area.

The DOT says reconstruction of the section of the interstate system will provide for efficient and safe vehicle movement on both I-29 and I-80. The improvements are located approximately one-half mile east of the Missouri River where I-80 intersects I-29 near the Western Historic Trails Center in Council Bluffs.

Once the new southbound I-29 bridge opens, eastbound I-80 traffic destined for 24th Street will exit earlier on the system just east of the Missouri River bridge. New lighting and signs in Nebraska and Iowa will inform travelers of the shift in traffic flow, so keep an eye out for these changes.

Iowa DOT is in the process of reconstructing I-80, I-29, and I-480 in the Council Bluffs metropolitan area. This comprehensive interstate redesign will modernize the highway system and improve mobility and safety of approximately 18 miles of interstate. If you would like more information about detours and traffic impacts visit the program’s website: www.councilbluffsinterstate.iowadot.gov.

Authorities in Pottawattamie County say a man was accidentally shot in the thigh when he went to retrieve a weapon from a gun safe. Council Bluffs Police Sgt. Chad Meyers said 46-year old Michael Heywood, of Council Bluffs, was transported to Creighton University Medical Center following the incident, which occurred at around 8:45-p.m., Monday. His injury was believed to be non-life threatening.

Meyers said officers were dispatched to 1729 6th Avenue, and when they arrived, found Heywood and three family members at the scene. The family had applied a tourniquet to Heywood’s left thigh prior to the arrival of Police.

An investigation revealed Heywood had retrieved a 9-millimeter semi-automatic handgun from a safe and was showing it to family members when it discharged. The round entered his left thigh in a downward trajectory and did not exit his leg/thigh. Alcohol was not a factor in the incident. The shooting was determined to be accidental, and no charges will be filed.

A trio of separate meetings are scheduled to take place Wednesday, in Atlantic. The Cass County Board of Supervisors are set to hold their regular weekly meeting at 8:30-a.m.  On their agenda is: the approval of a person as the County Recorder’s assistant; the Conservation Dept. quarterly report, and information with regard to the Dept. of Human Services telephone system replacement.

The Atlantic Airport Commission will hold its regular meeting at 9-a.m., Wednesday. On their agenda under New Business, is discussion with regard to future projects and priority, pertaining to the Federal Fiscal Year 2015 Airport Improvement Pre-Application. Old business includes an update on the Parallel Taxiway Paving Project and discussion with regard to the State FY 2015 Aviation Program and Block Hangar engineering agreement.

And, the City of Atlantic’s Personnel and Finance Committee will meet in the Council’s Chambers at 5:15-p.m. Wednesday, to discuss a contract for Interim City Administrator John Lund.