FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010
Contact: Kristi Sandal, Public Information Officer, 605-773-3265

Interstate 29 closing from Sioux Falls to the Iowa border

PIERRE, S.D.  – Effective at 1 p.m. (CST) on Saturday, Dec. 11, South Dakota officials are closing Interstate 29 from Sioux Falls to the Iowa border in both the north and south bound directions.

Officials with the state Departments of Transportation and Public Safety say numerous accidents and stuck vehicles along the Interstate and surrounding highways, white-out conditions with zero to near zero visibility, icy roads, as well as blowing and drifting snow are making travel almost impossible. I-29 in Iowa is also closed from Exit 75 to 143.

Travelers are urged to visit safetravelusa.com or to call 511 to check road conditions in other parts of South Dakota. Officials caution travelers to watch the weather, be prepared to change travel plans if necessary. State law includes both criminal penalties and a civil fine of up to $1,000 for being on a closed highway. A stranded traveler could also be charged for the cost of a rescue effort, up to $10,000.

If you must travel, the Departments of Transportation and Public Safety recommend travelers also take the following steps.

• Wear your seatbelt.
• Travel during the day.
• Drive with your headlights on so motorists behind you can see you.
• Use highly traveled roads and highways.
• Keep family and friends informed of your travel schedule and route.
• Call 511 or visit safetravelusa.com for road conditions.
• Keep a winter weather survival kit in your car.  The kit should include blankets, warm clothing, water, energy bars, a flashlight, a distress flag, a shovel and matches.
• Travel with a charged cell phone, but don’t rely on it to get you out of a bad situation.

§         Change travel plans as weather conditions warrant.

If you do get stranded:

§         Stay with your vehicle.

• Run the engine and heater about ten minutes an hour to stay warm.
• When the engine is running, open a window slightly to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.  Periodically clearing snow from the exhaust pipe will also help prevent carbon monoxide buildup.
• When it’s dark outside, turn on your interior light so rescuers can see you.
• Put up a distress flag, or spread a large colored cloth on the ground to attract attention from rescuers.

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