Interstate 29 to close, along with portion of Interstate 90


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 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday Dec. 24, 2009
Contact: Terry Woster,Public Information Officer, 605.773.3178
            
Interstate 29 to close, along with portion of Interstate 90
 
PIERRE, S.D.  – Effective at 7 p.m. (CST) on Thursday, Dec. 24, South Dakota officials are closing Interstate 29 from the Iowa border to the North Dakota border and Interstate 90 from Chamberlain to Sioux Falls.
 
A major winter storm moving up from the southeast is forecast to bring heavy snow and strong winds. Officials with the state Departments of Public Safety and Transportation say plows will be pulled from the interstates at 7 p.m. There is no timeline at this point for reopening the interstates, and officials say further closures along I-90 are possible as the storm intensifies.
 
The brunt of the storm is expected to continue through Christmas Day and into Saturday. Secretary of Public Safety Tom Dravland said that, while the state doesn’t have statutory authority to close secondary roads, many of those likely will become impassable. National Weather Service officials have said snow drifts could reach five to 10 feet high in some rural areas, particularly east of the Missouri River.
 
Those considering travel in areas that are open should take the following safety precautions:
 
-  Travel during the day and use highly traveled roads and highways if at all possible.
- Keep family and friends informed of your travel schedule and route.
       - Call 511 or visit www.safetravelusa.com for road conditions.
      -   If you travel, wear a seatbelt. Keep a winter weather survival kit in your car and a charged
         cell phone in your car, but don’t rely on the phone to get you out of trouble.
- Consider stocking food and water if you are in a remote area of the state.
- Be flexible and cancel travel plans if weather conditions warrant.
 
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