Highways closing/closed due to MS/Ohio River flooding

[golden eagle]

MDOT plans to close MS 465 as early as tomorrow as the Mississippi River continues to rise. TN 104 is closed south of I-155 near Dyersburg. I'm sure there will be many more roads that will close as the rivers continue to rise elsewhere.

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

I saw that Louisiana/East Baton Rouge Parish is going to be laying sandbags along River Road, south of the LSU campus, in attempt to limit seepage and sand boils from the River levee.
Only flooding concerns along the Ohio River that I've heard of were in Paducah (closing of floodwall gates, don't think that'll block any streets) and the roads leading up to the US 51/60/62 bridges at the junction of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.

[hbelkins]

I saw that Louisiana/East Baton Rouge Parish is going to be laying sandbags along River Road, south of the LSU campus, in attempt to limit seepage and sand boils from the River levee.
Only flooding concerns along the Ohio River that I've heard of were in Paducah (closing of floodwall gates, don't think that'll block any streets) and the roads leading up to the US 51/60/62 bridges at the junction of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.

Kentucky has a crapload that are closed, including US 51/60/62 south of the Ohio River bridge, and US 51 south of Wickliffe. Latest closure is US 60 somewhere near Union County. KYTC was actually going to attempt to raise the level of the road by dumping gravel.

Waters are receding in the Louisville area, however, so the crest is moving downstream.

[golden eagle]

Is I-55 through Arkansas and Missouri under water? What about I-57 through Missouri and extreme southern Illinois?

[RoadWarrior56]

I was in Evansville, IN a week and a half ago.  The Ohio River was very high, but only some minor roads were closed at that time.  Still, the vast amount of innundated terrrain reminded me more of the Mekong Delta than the lower midwest.   As far as interstates along the Mississippi are concerned, I would think their profiles would be high enough to stay above a 100 year flood, if not a 500 year flood.

[Grzrd]

Part of I-40 in Arkansas has been closed: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/05/04/arkansas-major-highway-close-flooding/

[golden eagle]

^^

I just saw that on the (Memphis) Commercial-Appeal website. I have an aunt who lives in Marion, just west of I-55. I hope she won't have to evacuate, but who knows?

[pianocello]

In my hometown of Davenport, IA, River Dr (US-61 downriver, 67 upriver) was underwater for at least 2 weeks. It might actually still be underwater...

[Grzrd]

Tunica's casinos have been closed, which will have a severe economic impact on that area: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/may/06/weather-roulette/

[UptownRoadGeek]

They are getting ready to open the Morganza spillway and the Bonnet Carre spillways just above New Orleans which will divert the water to the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Pontchartrain. This will close all roads between Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River that lie within the spillway levees with the exception of U.S. 61 and I-10 which are elevated.  This is the 2nd time Bonnet Carre has been opened in 2 years.  Before that it only needed to be opened in maybe 10 to 15 year intervals.  There's also this slow rumor starting to form that the water may be too much for the ORCS to withstand which would be horrible since the river would change course instantly and abandon Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Taking that one with a huge grain of salt right now.

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

They are getting ready to open the Morganza spillway and the Bonnet Carre spillways just above New Orleans which will divert the water to the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Pontchartrain. This will close all roads between Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River that lie within the spillway levees with the exception of U.S. 61 and I-10 which are elevated.  This is the 2nd time Bonnet Carre has been opened in 2 years.  Before that it only needed to be opened in maybe 10 to 15 year intervals.  There's also this slow rumor starting to form that the water may be too much for the ORCS to withstand which would be horrible since the river would change course instantly and abandon Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Taking that one with a huge grain of salt right now.

Well the only time Morganza was opened (1973) was because the Old River Control structure (junction of the Mississippi, Red, and Atchafayala Rivers) was under severe duress (to put it mildly) from flood waters coming down the Mississippi. A friend of mine, who was living in Baton Rouge at that time, told me that he went up to ORCS during that flood and he could see the water beneith the concrete structure (or grates) that had scoured out the dirt holding up ORCS. Supposedly more concrete was poured and ORCS is more stable now than it was 38 years ago.

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

Articles from the New Orleans Times-Picayune concerning the flood.
From Wednesday (focus on Morganza): http://www.nola.com/weather/index.ssf/2011/05/record_high_river_likely_to_re.html#incart_mce
From Thursday: http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/05/bonnet_carre_could_open_monday.html#incart_mce
From Friday: http://www.nola.com/weather/index.ssf/2011/05/bonnet_carre_spillway_will_ope.html

[UptownRoadGeek]

Bonnet Carre opens today, 28 bays. The COE has also requested permission to open Morganza.

[brownpelican]

They are getting ready to open the Morganza spillway and the Bonnet Carre spillways just above New Orleans which will divert the water to the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Pontchartrain. This will close all roads between Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River that lie within the spillway levees with the exception of U.S. 61 and I-10 which are elevated.  This is the 2nd time Bonnet Carre has been opened in 2 years.  Before that it only needed to be opened in maybe 10 to 15 year intervals.  There's also this slow rumor starting to form that the water may be too much for the ORCS to withstand which would be horrible since the river would change course instantly and abandon Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Taking that one with a huge grain of salt right now.

Well the only time Morganza was opened (1973) was because the Old River Control structure (junction of the Mississippi, Red, and Atchafayala Rivers) was under severe duress (to put it mildly) from flood waters coming down the Mississippi. A friend of mine, who was living in Baton Rouge at that time, told me that he went up to ORCS during that flood and he could see the water beneith the concrete structure (or grates) that had scoured out the dirt holding up ORCS. Supposedly more concrete was poured and ORCS is more stable now than it was 38 years ago.

The Mississippi was very, VERY close to changing course during that flood. Had Morganza not been opened, the Mississippi would be going down the Atchafalaya today.

Plus, 61 and I-10 are the only highways or roads that cross the Bonnet Carre. I've only seen ATVs riders in the spillway period.

From LADOTD:

Bonnet Carre Spillway: The Bonnet Carre Spillway was opened today and DOTD will close the right shoulder westbound on I-10 over the Bonnet Carre Spillway Bridge. DOTD crews will make adjustments to the equipment camera controller cabinets in an effort to continuously monitor the water flow's effect on the bridge. This closure will allow all vehicles to pass through the construction zone. DOTD encourages motorists traveling on I-10 and U.S. 61 over the Spillway to pay attention to the road and not drive distracted by the flow of water. Additionally, "No Stopping on Bridge"  signs have been put in place on I-10 and U.S. 61 and State Police and local law enforcement agencies are increasing patrols to discourage individuals from stopping to view water from the bridge.

In Tensas Parish - La. 3078 is closed due to flooding on the riverside of the levee. In Newellton, DOTD hauled approximately 4,000 cubic yards of sand in support of levee fortification efforts.

In Iberville Parish - Based on high waters and the need to utilize the highest ramp level on the dock, DOTD is placing vehicle restrictions on the Plaquemine Ferry. No trailers, no more than two axles, and no more than six wheels will be allowed to cross on the ferry. Large trucks and trailers should use the Interstate 10 Mississippi River Bridge. Also, the White Castle Ferry is now closed. It will resume service once the river waters subside.

In Jefferson/Orleans/St. Bernard Parishes - The La. 18 drainage improvement project has been put on hold and will resume when river level lowers to 11 ft at the Carrollton gauge. Additionally, projects related to fender repairs on the Crescent City Connection Bridge and the repairs to the Chalmette Ferry Landing have been put on hold, pending the recession of water levels.

If Morganza opens, some roads will be closed because the spillway area will be under five to 25 feet of water.

[UptownRoadGeek]

Plus, 61 and I-10 are the only highways or roads that cross the Bonnet Carre. I've only seen ATVs riders in the spillway period.

Locals in that area use Spillway Rd and LA-628 to get from one side of the Spillway to the other without having to travel up to U.S. 61 and back down.

[golden eagle]

Where there a lot of spectators around for the Bonnet Carre opening? I remember when New Orleans flooded in the mid-90s, a bunch of people came out to see the Bonnet Carre open.

[mightyace]

Part of I-40 in Arkansas has been closed: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/05/04/arkansas-major-highway-close-flooding/

Has this been reopened yet?  The VMSs and Highway Alert Radio here in Nashville were mentioning this Monday night.

EDIT:
Never mind, I went to TDOT's website (http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/) to look something else up and saw that the road is open again.

[US71]

Part of I-40 in Arkansas has been closed: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/05/04/arkansas-major-highway-close-flooding/

Has this been reopened yet?  The VMSs and Highway Alert Radio here in Nashville were mentioning this Monday night.

EDIT:
Never mind, I went to TDOT's website (http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/) to look something else up and saw that the road is open again.

.

WB opened this morning, EB opened Sunday

[mightyace]

^^^
Of course, the fact that the EB was open on Sunday was immaterial to travelers from Nashville.

[brownpelican]

Where there a lot of spectators around for the Bonnet Carre opening? I remember when New Orleans flooded in the mid-90s, a bunch of people came out to see the Bonnet Carre open.

Oh yeah. Folks skipped school and work to check it out. Even out-of-towners dropped in. This is what, the 9th time it opened in its history. It's a big deal. Imagine the crowd when Morganza opens up.

[Chris]

With all bays at the Bonnet Carre Spillway planned to be open, could this affect traffic on the elevated US 61 and I-10?

If the Morganza Spillway opens, could this affect traffic traveling the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge? It's elevated, but 20 feet of water is significant. If the remote possibility occurs that the Mississippi changes course, this would have tremendous consequences for transportation in the region I suppose.

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

With all bays at the Bonnet Carre Spillway planned to be open, could this affect traffic on the elevated US 61 and I-10?

Hasn't affected US 61 or I-10 any of the other 12 times it was opened

If the Morganza Spillway opens, could this affect traffic traveling the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge? It's elevated, but 20 feet of water is significant. If the remote possibility occurs that the Mississippi changes course, this would have tremendous consequences for transportation in the region I suppose.

20 feet of water versus all of the Mississippi is like comparing an F1 race car to an economy sedan when it comes the time one would take to complete one lap around the Spa Racecourse.
I've seen a "doomsday scenario" being passed around on Facebook concerning the Atchafalaya if flow at Morganza (and Old River Control Structure further up stream) can not be controled. It would be (supposedly) on par with the whack-job west coast pastor's prediction for the world to end this month.

[brownpelican]

With all bays at the Bonnet Carre Spillway planned to be open, could this affect traffic on the elevated US 61 and I-10?

If the Morganza Spillway opens, could this affect traffic traveling the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge? It's elevated, but 20 feet of water is significant. If the remote possibility occurs that the Mississippi changes course, this would have tremendous consequences for transportation in the region I suppose.

No to both questions. All bridges are high enough. Plus, the Bonnet Carre Spillway is 5.5 miles long by four to five miles long while the Atchafalaya Basin is huge. The water eventually will spread out as it goes further downstream.

[realjd]

Not directly highway related, but here are a few excellent articles on the critical situation in Louisiana:
http://blog.xkcd.com/2011/05/08/michael-bays-scenario/ (from the blog - a good article, not a comic)
http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=1801