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Nebraska, Iowa leaders: Wet weather could curb road repairs

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Iowa and Nebraska transportation officials say they’re hoping to have nearly all roads and bridges damaged in the wake of massive flooding repaired by midsummer, but note that wet weather this spring could hamper that effort.

Iowa Department of Transportation Director Mark Lowe and his Nebraska counterpart, Kyle Schneweis, held a news conference Thursday in Council Bluffs to update the public on damage in their states and how long it might take repair it all. In Iowa, the damage is concentrated in the west along Interstate 29, with the heaviest damage closest to the Missouri state line.

In all, Iowa had nearly 50 miles along the I-29 corridor that are damaged, nearly half of that categorized as severe, with damage estimates between $70 million to $90 million. In Nebraska, 180 miles of roadway and 27 bridges were damaged — 12 of which are still closed. Schneweis estimates road and bridge damage at $160 million.

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