Nebraska, Iowa officials mark I-680 reopening

CRESCENT, Iowa (AP) — Iowa and Nebraska officials are celebrating the reopening of a stretch of Interstate 680 in western Iowa that was severely damaged by Missouri River flooding.

The reopening is welcome news to those who rely on the 3-mile stretch of I-680 from Interstate 29 to the Missouri River north of Council Bluffs. The freeway is a key link between Iowa and Nebraska

Officials reopened all four lanes of the freeway Wednesday afternoon. Officials hoped to open the freeway by the end of the year but crews working almost non-stop on the $19 million project managed to exceed expectations.

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad was joined by other officials for a ceremony Wednesday to mark the reopening.

Also reopening on Wednesday is Iowa 175 between I-29 at Onawa to Decatur, Nebraska.