It opened on Monday, which was much earlier than anticipated. Actually, only 2 lanes are open right now but just a few weeks ago, reports were saying it wouldn't open until December. This means that the last major link that was closed by flooding this summer is now open.
I'd call I-680 a major link...
Quote from: Steve on October 26, 2011, 08:31:07 PM
I'd call I-680 a major link...
True, but there are easy ways around it. The closure of the NE/IA 2 bridge cut off a major link between I-80 and I-29 that didn't have an easy way around it.
Quote from: Steve on October 26, 2011, 08:31:07 PM
I'd call I-680 a major link...
Ehh... That stretch of I-680 is very low in terms of vehicle counts. It's not a vital link into the Council Bluffs/Omaha area.
Quote from: M86 on October 27, 2011, 12:43:52 AM
Quote from: Steve on October 26, 2011, 08:31:07 PM
I'd call I-680 a major link...
Ehh... That stretch of I-680 is very low in terms of vehicle counts. It's not a vital link into the Council Bluffs/Omaha area.
Yeah, it's useful best as a shortcut for thru traffic from I-80 west of Omaha to I-29 North towards Sioux City. But taking I-80 to I-29 isn't that much longer. The only real inconvenience in having it closed is its use as a direct connection between north Omaha and I-29.
All of the flooded state highways in Iowa have reopened. I-680 (http://www.news.iowadot.gov/newsandinfo/2011/10/interstate-680-to-reopen-on-nov-2-grand-reopening-ceremony-planned-moriver.html) and IA 175 (http://www.news.iowadot.gov/newsandinfo/2011/11/iowa-175-between-decatur-neb-and-onawa-iowa-to-be-reopened-tonight-moriver.html) reopened November 2, and the last closed road, IA 333 (http://www.news.iowadot.gov/newsandinfo/2011/11/opening-of-iowa-333-another-milestone-for-fast-track-flood-recovery-effort-moriver.html) in Hamburg, reopened by November 16. (Links go to DOT press releases.)