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Regional Boards => Central States => Topic started by: Stephane Dumas on March 23, 2019, 06:39:59 PM

Title: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: Stephane Dumas on March 23, 2019, 06:39:59 PM
There wasn't a thread about the recent floods who hit Western Iowa and Eastern Nebraska and flooded parts of I-29.  I spotted some articles about it.
https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article228226729.html
https://www.3newsnow.com/news/local-news/aerial-footage-shows-flooding-over-i-29
https://cbs2iowa.com/news/local/southbound-interstate-29-reopened-from-council-bluffs-to-us-34
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: Chris on March 24, 2019, 02:03:59 PM
The Spencer Dam on the Niobrara River in northern Nebraska was washed away, with flooding destroying several bridges downstream, including the US 281 bridge.

(https://i.imgur.com/jWI29qX.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/3IZHOQl.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/AyK1axD.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/uFr1TiN.jpg)
Photos by governor Pete Ricketts
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: Chris on March 24, 2019, 02:05:21 PM
The freeway segment between US 6 and US 275 near Omaha has been destroyed. According to Google Earth this segment is numbered State Road 28B. It crosses the Elkhorn River.

(https://i.imgur.com/4Me5ypT.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/MYwBBzU.jpg)
Photos by the Nebraska National Guard
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: Brandon on March 24, 2019, 07:14:40 PM
Quote from: Chris on March 24, 2019, 02:05:21 PM
The freeway segment between US 6 and US 275 near Omaha has been destroyed. According to Google Earth this segment is numbered State Road 28B.

Link 28B.  The 28 defines what county it is in, and the B means it is the second link in the county.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nebraska_Connecting_Link,_Spur,_and_Recreation_Highways
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: Gnutella on March 25, 2019, 12:21:01 AM
Shit.
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: MNHighwayMan on March 25, 2019, 07:41:59 AM
Quote from: Gnutella on March 25, 2019, 12:21:01 AM
Shit.

Nah, just muddy water.
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: Verlanka on March 25, 2019, 08:09:37 AM
Quote from: Brandon on March 24, 2019, 07:14:40 PM
Quote from: Chris on March 24, 2019, 02:05:21 PM
The freeway segment between US 6 and US 275 near Omaha has been destroyed. According to Google Earth this segment is numbered State Road 28B.

Link 28B.  The 28 defines what county it is in, and the B means it is the second link in the county.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nebraska_Connecting_Link,_Spur,_and_Recreation_Highways

But it still is a state highway.
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: Brandon on March 25, 2019, 10:33:56 AM
Quote from: Verlanka on March 25, 2019, 08:09:37 AM
Quote from: Brandon on March 24, 2019, 07:14:40 PM
Quote from: Chris on March 24, 2019, 02:05:21 PM
The freeway segment between US 6 and US 275 near Omaha has been destroyed. According to Google Earth this segment is numbered State Road 28B.

Link 28B.  The 28 defines what county it is in, and the B means it is the second link in the county.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nebraska_Connecting_Link,_Spur,_and_Recreation_Highways

But it still is a state highway.

Yes, a secondary state highway.  The links (LxxA) and spurs (SxxA) are Nebraska's secondary state route system.  And like it says on the box, they link state routes together, or they are spurs from a state route to somewhere like a town or park.
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: intelati49 on March 28, 2019, 08:46:11 AM
Quote from: Chris on March 24, 2019, 02:03:59 PM
The Spencer Dam on the Niobrara River in northern Nebraska was washed away, with flooding destroying several bridges downstream, including the US 281 bridge.

Holy Crap.

Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: hbelkins on March 28, 2019, 03:43:24 PM
Quote from: Chris on March 24, 2019, 02:05:21 PM
The freeway segment between US 6 and US 275 near Omaha has been destroyed. According to Google Earth this segment is numbered State Road 28B. It crosses the Elkhorn River.

(https://i.imgur.com/MYwBBzU.jpg)
Photos by the Nebraska National Guard

The pavement damage shown in that photo appears to have been caused by headwaters (flash flooding). I was under the impression that the flooding issue along the Missouri River was due to backwater (the river overflowing its banks and backing up into valleys.)
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: MNHighwayMan on March 28, 2019, 03:49:57 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on March 28, 2019, 03:43:24 PM
The pavement damage shown in that photo appears to have been caused by headwaters (flash flooding). I was under the impression that the flooding issue along the Missouri River was due to backwater (the river overflowing its banks and backing up into valleys.)

With all the rain that happened, in addition to the snow melt, there was plenty of both kinds to go around.
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: mvak36 on March 28, 2019, 06:07:56 PM
https://www.omaha.com/news/public-safety/state-oks-emergency-repairs-to-flood-damaged-roads-around-omaha/article_6ac4bb3c-481c-54ce-86db-c53af267c630.html
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on March 28, 2019, 09:50:29 PM
Northwest of Omaha...
http://www.enterprisepub.com/public/highways-closed-indefinitely/article_20731478-5171-11e9-ad03-73800b0c553d.html?fbclid=IwAR16MYEjvYS3RtAXha9cF2_4GTpi9fg3ERkJ36Xlc0kxhgAa6KI1IyFBT70

(https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/enterprisepub.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/ee/3eedd280-5171-11e9-8585-53e8ee1d92a5/5c9ced64c68c1.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C783)
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: hbelkins on March 29, 2019, 03:35:26 PM
Apparently the flooding's going to get worse before it gets better. My train was rerouted from its typical line across southern Iowa (crossing at Burlington) onto a Union Pacific line that crosses at Clinton and roughly parallels US 30 across the state. I didn't see any evidence of flooding getting dangerously close to the line on either side of the Missouri (we paralleled I-29 from Missouri Valley south to near the I-80 crossing), but when we got to California on Monday night (actually Tuesday morning) the return train was only going to go as far east as Denver, and not on to Omaha.
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: edwaleni on March 30, 2019, 04:59:17 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on March 29, 2019, 03:35:26 PM
Apparently the flooding's going to get worse before it gets better. My train was rerouted from its typical line across southern Iowa (crossing at Burlington) onto a Union Pacific line that crosses at Clinton and roughly parallels US 30 across the state. I didn't see any evidence of flooding getting dangerously close to the line on either side of the Missouri (we paralleled I-29 from Missouri Valley south to near the I-80 crossing), but when we got to California on Monday night (actually Tuesday morning) the return train was only going to go as far east as Denver, and not on to Omaha.

Trains magazine was reporting that Amtrak trains were bypassing Omaha until further notice.  A westbound California Zephyr was re-routed south.
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: Stephane Dumas on April 10, 2019, 10:24:04 PM
Things might get worse, there's another monster winter storm coming.
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-04-10/its-spring-and-monster-winter-storm-about-punish-central-us
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: hotdogPi on April 10, 2019, 10:30:20 PM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on April 10, 2019, 10:24:04 PM
Things might get worse, there's another monster winter storm coming.
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-04-10/its-spring-and-monster-winter-storm-about-punish-central-us

While it's hard to push a POV regarding weather, I would still be wary of that website.
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on April 10, 2019, 10:55:10 PM
The detour route for I-29, between Missouri Valley (US 30) and Council Bluffs, is having its own issues right now.
https://www.wowt.com/content/news/HEARTLAND-FLOOD-Big-concerns-for-small-Iowa-town-508354041.html?fbclid=IwAR0UrCWKgjdz4YyffvGuUBMjDeccpil_j1T38otW1mkBbI9d3tmlU1J7LG8
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: hbelkins on April 11, 2019, 08:12:31 PM
Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on April 10, 2019, 10:55:10 PM
The detour route for I-29, between Missouri Valley (US 30) and Council Bluffs, is having its own issues right now.
https://www.wowt.com/content/news/HEARTLAND-FLOOD-Big-concerns-for-small-Iowa-town-508354041.html?fbclid=IwAR0UrCWKgjdz4YyffvGuUBMjDeccpil_j1T38otW1mkBbI9d3tmlU1J7LG8

Actually, there are -- or were -- more trains using that line. That's the detour route that Amtrak used between Chicago and Omaha. The Amtrak line actually used UP locomotives and engineers because they were familiar with the route, and they changed in Omaha to the regular Amtrak equipment.
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: Revive 755 on April 13, 2019, 10:46:46 AM
From recent travels: The I-29 detour is being signed on I-80 using only the overhead permanent and temporary changeable message boards.  Out near Council Bluffs there a few new full color CMS's being used for the detour/closure with I-29 shields shown.  IIRC the first mention of the closure is near Grinnell on I-80 WB.
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: mvak36 on April 19, 2019, 01:14:01 PM
I-29 scheduled to re-open in June: https://www.wowt.com/content/news/I-29-repairs-from-US-34-to-Missouri-begin---reopening-expected-in-June-508756911.html

Article from last week: https://www.omaha.com/news/nebraska/interstate-route-to-kansas-city-is-targeted-to-reopen-in/article_52e6e198-0f35-58f5-b97a-d8e3dfddf173.html
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on April 21, 2019, 08:49:11 PM
Couple of photos I took of the Missouri River (into Iowa) from Plattemouth, Neb. last week.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47663336941_a9cf2ff11d_z.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/46939245524_45a78d858f_z.jpg)

And yes, I found traffic on US 75, between US 36 (in Kansas) and Omaha to be heavier than it should, due to I-29's closure.
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: mvak36 on April 22, 2019, 09:00:06 AM
Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on April 21, 2019, 08:49:11 PM
And yes, I found traffic on US 75, between US 36 (in Kansas) and Omaha to be heavier than it should, due to I-29's closure.

I ended up taking KS-63/NE-50 from US36 last month when I went up to Omaha. It was a pretty nice drive. The only bad part was being stuck behind a very slow car north of Syracuse, but it worked out because the place I was going to is a mile from NE-50.
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: mvak36 on May 08, 2019, 11:33:47 AM
I-29 re-opened with some lane restrictions: https://www.news.iowadot.gov/newsandinfo/2019/05/mobility-restored-to-flood-damaged-i-29-and-iowa-2-in-southwest-iowa.html
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: ModernDayWarrior on May 29, 2019, 03:06:58 AM
That didn't last long... I-29 is closed again, at least from St. Joseph to the Iowa border: https://www.modot.org/2019-northwest-missouri-flooding
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: mvak36 on May 30, 2019, 11:46:50 AM
Quote from: ModernDayWarrior on May 29, 2019, 03:06:58 AM
That didn't last long... I-29 is closed again, at least from St. Joseph to the Iowa border: https://www.modot.org/2019-northwest-missouri-flooding

At least it held off till after the long weekend lol. I don't plan on going back up the road till the Labor Day weekend. Hopefully it's open by then?? (knock on wood)
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: Stephane Dumas on May 30, 2019, 04:02:09 PM
I knew NE DOT plan to upgrade US-75 from Nebraska City to Murray as a 4-lane divided expressway. https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/5786/us-75-from-nebraska-city-to-murrary.pdf  I won't be surprised to see a alternate corridor combining US-75 and US-73 between Omaha and Kansas City might act as "Alternate I-29" when I-29 is flooded.
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: splashflash on April 24, 2022, 02:48:30 AM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on May 30, 2019, 04:02:09 PM
I knew NE DOT plan to upgrade US-75 from Nebraska City to the Murray as a 4-lane divided expressway. https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/5786/us-75-from-nebraska-city-to-murrary.pdf  I won't be surprised to see a alternate corridor combining US-75 and US-73 between Omaha and Kansas City might act as "Alternate I-29" when I-29 is flooded.

The upgrading of US 75 from Nebraska City to Murray is proceeding in three phases: 

https://www.acppubs.com/articles/hawkins-construction-company-partners-with-nebraska-dot-to-convert-us-75-into-four-lane-expressway
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: mvak36 on April 25, 2022, 08:20:03 AM
Quote from: splashflash on April 24, 2022, 02:48:30 AM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on May 30, 2019, 04:02:09 PM
I knew NE DOT plan to upgrade US-75 from Nebraska City to the Murray as a 4-lane divided expressway. https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/5786/us-75-from-nebraska-city-to-murrary.pdf  I won't be surprised to see a alternate corridor combining US-75 and US-73 between Omaha and Kansas City might act as "Alternate I-29" when I-29 is flooded.

The upgrading of US 75 from Nebraska City to Murray is proceeding in three phases: 

https://www.acppubs.com/articles/hawkins-construction-company-partners-with-nebraska-dot-to-convert-us-75-into-four-lane-expressway

People were already using US75 South of Nebraska City when that flood happened as I-29 was pretty much closed north of St. Joseph/Mound City vicinity. I remembered reading articles back then saying that the traffic was pretty bad through the towns along that stretch.

IMO, NDOT and KDOT should plan (at minimum) to add passing lanes along the road between NE-2 and US36, when funding allows, for whenever the next flood event happens. A 4 lane expressway would be preferred but that's probably too expensive to do at once.

Btw, that year I took U36 west from St. Joseph out to Seneca and then K-8/NE-50 as that was closer to where I was heading in Omaha. It wasn't too bad except for when I got stuck behind some slow vehicles north of Syracuse.
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: SD Mapman on April 25, 2022, 12:19:27 PM
Quote from: mvak36 on April 25, 2022, 08:20:03 AM
Quote from: splashflash on April 24, 2022, 02:48:30 AM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on May 30, 2019, 04:02:09 PM
I knew NE DOT plan to upgrade US-75 from Nebraska City to the Murray as a 4-lane divided expressway. https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/5786/us-75-from-nebraska-city-to-murrary.pdf  I won't be surprised to see a alternate corridor combining US-75 and US-73 between Omaha and Kansas City might act as "Alternate I-29" when I-29 is flooded.

The upgrading of US 75 from Nebraska City to Murray is proceeding in three phases: 

https://www.acppubs.com/articles/hawkins-construction-company-partners-with-nebraska-dot-to-convert-us-75-into-four-lane-expressway

People were already using US75 South of Nebraska City when that flood happened as I-29 was pretty much closed north of St. Joseph/Mound City vicinity. I remembered reading articles back then saying that the traffic was pretty bad through the towns along that stretch.

IMO, NDOT and KDOT should plan (at minimum) to add passing lanes along the road between NE-2 and US36, when funding allows, for whenever the next flood event happens. A 4 lane expressway would be preferred but that's probably too expensive to do at once.

Btw, that year I took U36 west from St. Joseph out to Seneca and then K-8/NE-50 as that was closer to where I was heading in Omaha. It wasn't too bad except for when I got stuck behind some slow vehicles north of Syracuse.
If I remember right there's some passing lanes in Nebraska, and it's fairly easy to pass on the Kansas side.
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: mvak36 on April 25, 2022, 12:28:09 PM
Quote from: SD Mapman on April 25, 2022, 12:19:27 PM
Quote from: mvak36 on April 25, 2022, 08:20:03 AM
Quote from: splashflash on April 24, 2022, 02:48:30 AM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on May 30, 2019, 04:02:09 PM
I knew NE DOT plan to upgrade US-75 from Nebraska City to the Murray as a 4-lane divided expressway. https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/5786/us-75-from-nebraska-city-to-murrary.pdf  I won't be surprised to see a alternate corridor combining US-75 and US-73 between Omaha and Kansas City might act as "Alternate I-29" when I-29 is flooded.

The upgrading of US 75 from Nebraska City to Murray is proceeding in three phases: 

https://www.acppubs.com/articles/hawkins-construction-company-partners-with-nebraska-dot-to-convert-us-75-into-four-lane-expressway

People were already using US75 South of Nebraska City when that flood happened as I-29 was pretty much closed north of St. Joseph/Mound City vicinity. I remembered reading articles back then saying that the traffic was pretty bad through the towns along that stretch.

IMO, NDOT and KDOT should plan (at minimum) to add passing lanes along the road between NE-2 and US36, when funding allows, for whenever the next flood event happens. A 4 lane expressway would be preferred but that's probably too expensive to do at once.

Btw, that year I took U36 west from St. Joseph out to Seneca and then K-8/NE-50 as that was closer to where I was heading in Omaha. It wasn't too bad except for when I got stuck behind some slow vehicles north of Syracuse.
If I remember right there's some passing lanes in Nebraska, and it's fairly easy to pass on the Kansas side.
There probably are. I haven't been on that stretch since the 2011 floods so I can't remember if they did or not. I know it's far away but if they ever finish the Nebraska Expressway System, I think NDOT should consider making US75 from Neb City to the KS border 4 lanes, especially if these flood events are going to become more common.
Title: Re: Flood of 2019 who flooded I-29
Post by: SD Mapman on April 25, 2022, 12:30:51 PM
Quote from: mvak36 on April 25, 2022, 12:28:09 PM
Quote from: SD Mapman on April 25, 2022, 12:19:27 PM
Quote from: mvak36 on April 25, 2022, 08:20:03 AM
Quote from: splashflash on April 24, 2022, 02:48:30 AM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on May 30, 2019, 04:02:09 PM
I knew NE DOT plan to upgrade US-75 from Nebraska City to the Murray as a 4-lane divided expressway. https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/5786/us-75-from-nebraska-city-to-murrary.pdf  I won't be surprised to see a alternate corridor combining US-75 and US-73 between Omaha and Kansas City might act as "Alternate I-29" when I-29 is flooded.

The upgrading of US 75 from Nebraska City to Murray is proceeding in three phases: 

https://www.acppubs.com/articles/hawkins-construction-company-partners-with-nebraska-dot-to-convert-us-75-into-four-lane-expressway

People were already using US75 South of Nebraska City when that flood happened as I-29 was pretty much closed north of St. Joseph/Mound City vicinity. I remembered reading articles back then saying that the traffic was pretty bad through the towns along that stretch.

IMO, NDOT and KDOT should plan (at minimum) to add passing lanes along the road between NE-2 and US36, when funding allows, for whenever the next flood event happens. A 4 lane expressway would be preferred but that's probably too expensive to do at once.

Btw, that year I took U36 west from St. Joseph out to Seneca and then K-8/NE-50 as that was closer to where I was heading in Omaha. It wasn't too bad except for when I got stuck behind some slow vehicles north of Syracuse.
If I remember right there's some passing lanes in Nebraska, and it's fairly easy to pass on the Kansas side.
There probably are. I haven't been on that stretch since the 2011 floods so I can't remember if they did or not. I know it's far away but if they ever finish the Nebraska Expressway System, I think NDOT should consider making US75 from Neb City to the KS border 4 lanes, especially if these flood events are going to become more common.
Under current planning/construction, US 75 will be 4-lane from Omaha to about 10 miles south of Nebraska City. It would be nice if that continued all the way down to Topeka, but I don't think NDOT or KDOT would have that as a priority.