Flooding Continues to Hinder Transportation Throughout Midwest

June 18th, 2008

Quebecor World Logistics’ Newsflash #222, repeated here in its entirety, offers a comprehensive review of transporation modes affected. Included are abbreviated press releases from BNSF, Canadian National, Union Pacific and the U.S. Postal Service.

Transportation Delays Continue; Flooding Mississippi Damages Midwest

June 17, 2008 / Quebecor World Logistics NEWS FLASH - Issue #222

Flooding Locations Update:

Severe flooding remains throughout the Midwest as the Mississippi River continues to expand beyond its banks, shutting down neighborhoods and towns throughout several states making travel to or from the affected areas arduous at best. Much of the flooding throughout the Midwest is funneling into the Mississippi River leading to the government’s prediction that 27 levees could overflow along the riverbanks if the weather persists and enough sand bags are not put into place. A levee broke this morning due to the swelling pressures of the Mississippi in Gulfport, Illinois, forcing several levees to be reinforced across the river in Burlington, IA.

Conditions will be somewhat contingent on the success of the locals adequately supporting levees along the Mississippi with sand bags. If levees continue to overflow or break with the rising Mississippi, flooding can be expected to continue throughout the week, severely hindering all transportation modes throughout the Midwest. Quebecor World Logistics will continue to leverage our relationships with over 9,300 carriers in our best efforts to limit potential delays to and from the affected areas.

Union Pacific Abbreviated Release:

Full release available at: http://dx01.my.uprr.com/pubdir/inetbull.nsf/10ad5b33cfbd82148625705a000ea680/1c07dcebbd5038058625746a006b0be7?OpenDocument

§ Union Pacific continues to have embargoes in place this week for traffic moving across parts of our east-west main line across Iowa, with a permit application process in place to offer a regulated flow of traffic as our limited operation returns to normal

§ Main line track in several UP subdivisions, including the River Subdivision between Kansas City and St. Louis, and on the Adams Subdivision between Chicago and Minneapolis and St. Paul, have been taken out of service intermittently over the past several days due to high water and washouts

§ Iowa has seen the worst of the flooding, with 83 of 99 counties already declared disaster areas.

§ A section of our Overland Route on the east-west main line near Cedar Rapids remains out of service, along with the north-south spine line between Kansas City and Des Moines

§ Currently anticipate re-opening the east-west main line this week, as water levels recede. At that point, Union Pacific crews will begin to work off the backlog of traffic as engineering continues repairs to track, yards and signal systems

Canadian National Abbreviated Release:

Full release available at: http://www.cn.ca/customer_centre/ebusiness/state_of_railroad/en_state_of_the_railroad.shtml

June 17, 2008

§ Previously reported flooding conditions in the Midwestern United States continue to affect CN’s rail operations in the area.

§ As a result of these conditions, a series of rail embargoes has recently been imposed through the AAR. These embargoes affect some of CN’s interchange traffic with other carriers. For a full list of rail embargoes, please visit http://aarembargo.railinc.com.

§ The bridge located near Cedar Falls, IA was repaired by 1500hrs CDT on Saturday, June 15th. As a safety precaution, speed restrictions remain in effect as trains go through the area. Some damage to CN signals in the area is causing additional delays.

§ According to current estimates, the bridge located near Denison, IA, on CN’s Omaha subdivision, will reopen on June 19th. Portions of CN’s Osage subdivision, between Albert Lea, MN, and Waterloo, IA, remain affected by the weather conditions. According to current estimates, this subdivision is due to resume operations as of late Monday, June 16th.

§ Traffic has been running through the Neenah subdivision of the CN line since late Friday June 13th. A speed restriction remains in effect for the time being; as a result, traffic scheduled to move through this area is subject to some delays.

BNSF Abbreviated Release:

Full release available at:

http://domino.bnsf.com/website/updates.nsf/updates-service-coal/34BF3C78515F38FC8625746A0067FC33?Open

§ Effects of flooding persist along the Mississippi and its tributaries, as well as at isolated locations on rivers in Iowa and Missouri.

§ BNSF’s east-west main line across southern Iowa is closed due to flooding at Ottumwa.

§ Flooding on the Mississippi River has also closed BNSF’s east-west line via Quincy, Ill., and main lines are out of service along the Mississippi at several locations between Burlington, Iowa, and St. Louis, Mo., and between St. Louis and Memphis, Tenn.

§ Although our Transcon main line remains open at Fort Madison, Iowa, trains through that area are experiencing some delay as we raise our main line tracks to keep them above water. The river is expected to crest at Fort Madison late Tuesday, June 17.

§ BNSF is managing traffic flows through the affected areas, detouring trains where alternate routes are available and making every effort to alleviate the effects of the flooding on your shipments. Although some shipments through the flooded areas are experiencing major delays, we are continuing to provide service to the extent possible and remain committed to doing so.

U.S. Postal Service Abbreviated Release:

Full release available at:

http://www.usps.com/communications/news/serviceupdates.htm?from=bannercommunications&page=serviceupdates

Fond du Lac, WI, 54935

§ Effective June 16, the Fond du Lac, WI, Post Office is closed until at least June 26. The office will not be accepting drop shipments. All drop shipments destined for Fond du Lac, WI, 54935, must be redirected to the Oshkosh, WI, Post Office at 1025 West 20th Ave, Oshkosh, WI, 54902.

Over-the-Road Conditions

Iowa

Full release available at:

http://iowadot.gov/morgue/news2008/06170809.htm

Wisconsin

Full release available at:

http://www.dot.state.wi.us/travel/incident-alerts.htm

Quebecor World Logistics continues to monitor the impact of the flooding on all modes of transportation. QWL will do everything within our power to stay abreast of the situation and react accordingly to mitigate possible delays.

For more information regarding Quebecor World Logistics or for access to past news publications, visit our Web site at www.qwlogistics.com.

————————————————-

Ron A. Sing

Quebecor World Logistics

630-343-4729

ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED BELOW

Over-the-Road Conditions

Iowa:

Iowa roadways remain closed due to flooding

AMES, Iowa – Flooding continues to affect many roadways in the state, according to Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) officials. Iowans are urged to closely monitor conditions and never enter a water-covered roadway.

The Iowa DOT’s temporary customer service phone line will be in operation from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily until further notice. That number is 866-452-8510. This number was set up for assisting travelers navigate state roadway closings. It is not an emergency number. Emergency calls should be made to 911. This phone line is extremely busy, so if you get a busy signal please call back.

Crossing the Mississippi River in southeast Iowa will be a challenge today as two of the three bridges are closed and the third is restricted to one lane of traffic.. Delays are to be expected on the U.S. 136 bridge at Keokuk. Travelers in southeast Iowa can cross the Mississippi River at Illinois Route 96, the Bayview Bridge from Missouri into Quincy , Ill. The bridge is temporarily carrying traffic in both directions since the Memorial Bridge at Quincy is closed.

Travelers north of I-80 wanting to cross the Mississippi should do so at Davenport or cities north of Davenport .

Updates

U.S. 136: in Lee County – The Mississippi River bridge at Keokuk closed overnight into Illinois, but is now open to one lane of traffic only. U.S. 136 is CLOSED into Missouri.

Roadways open to traffic

U.S. 30: Clinton County – U.S. 30 is open between the towns of Wheatland and Calamus.

Previously mentioned and updated road closures
Interstate routes

I-29: All exit and entrance ramps at McPaul interchange – All exit and entrance ramps are closed at the McPaul interchange (exit 20) in Fremont County.
I-80 and Dubuque Street interchange: in Johnson County – Flood waters are over Dubuque Street south of this interchange in Iowa City. The southbound exit from I-80 is closed.
I-380 and H Avenue Interchange: in Linn County (ramp closure only) – The southbound I-380 exit ramp (#21) to H Avenue has been closed due to flooding.
I-380 and 1st Avenue interchange: in Linn County (ramp closures only) – The northbound I-380 entrance ramp (#19A) to 1st Avenue West and the southbound I-380 exit ramp (#19B) have been closed due to flood waters over 1st Avenue West in downtown Cedar Rapids. I-380 remains open. I
I-380 and 1st Street interchange: in Linn County (ramp closures only) – The northbound I-380 exit ramp (#19C) to 1st Street West and the southbound I-380 exit ramp (#20A) to 1st Street East have been closed due to flood in downtown Cedar Rapids. I-380 remains open.
I-380 exit ramp Diagonal Drive Interchange: in Linn County (ramp closure only) – The northbound I-380 exit ramp (#19A) to Diagonal Drive has been closed due to flooding.

U.S. routes

U.S. 6: in Johnson County – U.S. 6 is closed from Burlington Street to the intersection of Iowa 1 West within the city of Iowa City due to flooding.
U.S. 6: in Johnson County – U.S. 6 is closed from Iowa 1 to Gilbert Street within the city of Iowa City.
U.S. 6: in Muscatine County – U.S. 6 is closed from Muscatine County Road X-46 to Iowa 38 due to flooding.
U.S. 18: in Floyd County – While flood waters have receded, the water damaged the roadway east of Charles City. U.S. 18 will remain closed from Charles City to New Hampton until repairs can be made. Detour is in place using local roads.
U.S. 30: in Boone County – U.S. 30 is closed at the Des Moines River west of the city of Boone.
U.S. 34: in Des Moines County – The Mississippi River bridge at Burlington is closed due to a levee breach in Gulfport, Ill.
U.S. 61: in Scott County – U.S. 61 is closed in the city of Davenport from Iowa 22 to U.S. 67 south due to the rising Mississippi River.
U.S. 61: in Louisa County – U.S. 61 is closed from the north city limits of Wapello to south of Iowa 92.
U.S. 61: in Lee County: U.S. 61 in Lee County is closed to traffic between Lee County roads J-40 and X-38 due to water covering the road. Traffic should follow local detour signs for U.S. 61 Fort Madison detour.
U.S. 65/Iowa 5 bypass: in Polk County – The left lanes of south- and northbound U.S. 65 have been reopened. The right-hand lane of southbound U.S. 65 will be opened as the water recedes. However, the right-hand lane of northbound U.S. 65 has been undermined and repairs must be made before opening that lane later this week. The Vandalia Road exit remains closed.
U.S. 67: in Clinton and Scott County - U.S. 67 is reduced to one lane between the towns of Folletts and Princeton due to water over the road. Traffic is being flagged through the lane closure.
U.S. 67: in Scott County - U.S. 67 is now closed from the Illinois State Line to Iowa 74 due to flooding of the Mississippi River. This is located in the downtown areas of Davenport and Bettendorf.
U.S. 136/U.S. 61: Lee County – U.S. 136/U.S. 61 is closed until further notice due to flooding at the Missouri state line.
U.S. 151 Business: in Linn County – The city of Cedar Rapids is closing the 1st Avenue bridge (also Business U.S. 151) due to rising flood waters.
U.S. 151: in Iowa County – Road closed from Iowa 220 to U.S. 6 between the town of Amana and Homestead.
U.S. 275: in Fremont County – This roadway is closed from the Missouri state line to Fremont County Road J-64 (old Iowa 333) at Hamburg.

Iowa routes

Iowa 1: in Linn County – Road closed from U.S. 30 to the city of Solon due to flooding.
Iowa 2 : in Lee County – The Mississippi River bridge at Fort Madison is closed due to flooding on the Iowa site. (Previously listed at U.S. 61 bridge at Fort Madison.)
Iowa 3: in Butler County – This highway is closed west of Shell Rock. There is roadway damage that must be repaired.
Iowa 5: in Warren County – Iowa 5 is closed in both directions at Hartford. Water is over the road about 2.5 miles north of the intersection of Iowa 5 and Warren County Road G-24. Previous reports listed only northbound lanes as closed.
Iowa 14: in Marion County – Iowa 14 is reduced to one-lane from northern city limits of Knoxville to Marion County Road G-40 due to a landslide. Electronic traffic signals are in place to direct traffic.
Iowa 16: in Wapello County – Iowa 16 through Eldon is reduced to one-lane for one city block due to water covering the road.
Iowa 21: from Iowa 212 north to Benton County Road E-66 – The road remains closed south of Belle Plaine.
Iowa 22: in Washington County - Iowa 22 is closed from U.S. 218 to U.S. 61.
Iowa 22: in Muscatine County – Iowa 22 is closed east of Muscatine to Scott County Road Y-40.
Iowa 22: in Scott County – Iowa 22 within the city of Buffalo from Scott County Road Y-40 to I-280 is closed due to the Mississippi River rising,
Iowa 24: in Winneshiek County – Iowa 24 is closed at Fort Atkinson. This will be a long-term closure for bridge repair.
Iowa 70: in Louisa County - Iowa 70 is closed to traffic from IA 92 to before Muscatine County Line due to flooding.
Iowa 92: in Louisa County – Iowa 92 is closed in Columbus Junction. Traffic is being detoured onto local roads.
Iowa 92: in Mahaska County – Iowa 92 is closed at Mahaska County Road V-13. Traffic is being detoured on local roads.
Iowa 92: in Marion County – Iowa 92 is closed to traffic from Mahaska County line west to Marion County Road T-17 due to flooding.
Iowa 92: in Muscatine County – Iowa 92 is closed within city limits of Muscatine due to flooding.
Iowa 98: Van Buren County – Iowa 98 is closed from the start of Iowa 98 to Iowa 16 due to flooding.
Iowa 150: Benton County – Iowa 150 is closed from the Cedar River north to Benton County Road E-16 due to wash outs and road failure.
Iowa 220: Iowa County - Due to the flood damage to the roadway, Iowa 220 will be reduced to one lane from U.S. 6 to West Amana between the hours of 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily. Traffic will be flagged through the lane reduction. The road will then be closed to all traffic from 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. This schedule will continue until further notice.

Park area roads

Louisa County: Meyerholz Lake area – Louisa County Road G-26 is closed. Several local roads are also closed in this area.
Van Buren County: Lacey State Park area - Van Buren County. Iowa 1 and Van Buren County Road J-40 are currently still open, however; all roads leading in and out of Lacey State Park are closed due to flooding.

Over-the-Road Conditions

Wisconsin:

*ONLY updates since 6/13 News Flash #221 are included

Incident Type: Flooding
County: Sauk
Roadway: STH 033E
Direction: EB/WB
Cross Street: HWY T
Lanes Affected: All lanes blocked (both directions)
Time Incident Occurred: 12:00:00 PM
Estimated Duration: unknown
Additional Info: Road is closed from Hwy T to Cascade Mountain Rd.Date and Time Posted: 6/17/2008 12:37:46 PM

Incident Type: Flooding
County: Jefferson
Roadway: IH 094E
Direction: EB
Cross Street: HWY Q
Lanes Affected: Left lane
Time Incident Occurred: 12:00:00 PM
Estimated Duration: unknown
Additional Info: Left lane closed from Hwy Q to E of Rock River.

Date and Time Posted: 6/17/2008 12:27:57 PM

Incident Type: Flooding
County: Jefferson
Roadway: STH 106W
Direction: EB/WB
Cross Street: County-J to County-A
Lanes Affected: All lanes blocked (both directions)
Time Incident Occurred: 9:05:00 AM
Estimated Duration: Unknown
Additional Info: W of Fort Atkinson

Date and Time Posted: 6/17/2008 9:03:59 AM

Incident Type: Flooding
County: Rock
Roadway: USH 051N
Direction: NB/SB
Cross Street: Glenn St to Memorial Dr
Lanes Affected: All lanes blocked (both directions)
Time Incident Occurred: 7:09:00 AM
Estimated Duration: unknown
Additional Info:

Date and Time Posted: 6/16/2008 7:09:37 AM

Incident Type: Flooding
County: Columbia
Roadway: STH 016E
Direction: EB/WB
Cross Street: Hwy G/I
Lanes Affected: All lanes blocked (both directions)
Time Incident Occurred: 10:00:00 PM
Estimated Duration: unknown
Additional Info: STH 16 E/W closed Hwy G/I to Old 16 Rd.

Date and Time Posted: 6/15/2008 10:42:09 PM

Incident Type: Flooding
County: Green Lake
Roadway: STH 023E
Direction: EB/WB
Cross Street: W Water Street to E Water Street
Lanes Affected: All lanes blocked (both directions)
Time Incident Occurred: 1:00:00 PM
Estimated Duration: Unknown
Additional Info: STH 23 (STH 73/Main Street) in Princeton is closed between W Water Street and E Water Street. Use Water Street as a detour route back to STH 23 (STH 73).

Date and Time Posted: 6/15/2008 1:22:55 PM

Incident Type: closure due to flooding
County: Dodge
Roadway: STH 060E
Direction: EB/WB
Cross Street: STH 26 to STH 67
Lanes Affected: All lanes blocked (both directions)
Time Incident Occurred: 6:00:00 AM
Estimated Duration: unknown
Additional Info: No alternate route is available.

Date and Time Posted: 6/15/2008 6:26:24 AM

Incident Type: Flooding
County: Jefferson
Roadway: STH 019W
Direction: EB/WB
Cross Street: CTH Q to Hubbleton Rd
Lanes Affected: All lanes blocked (both directions)
Time Incident Occurred: 11:00:00 AM
Estimated Duration: unknown
Additional Info: HWY 19 closed from CTH Q to Hubbleton Rd due to flooding

Date and Time Posted: 6/14/2008 11:23:03 AM

Incident Type: Flooding
County: Jefferson
Roadway: STH 106W
Direction: EB/WB
Cross Street: USH-12 to Falk Rd
Lanes Affected: All lanes blocked (both directions)
Time Incident Occurred: 10:45:00 AM
Estimated Duration: unknown
Additional Info: In Fort Atkinson

Date and Time Posted: 6/14/2008 11:02:36 AM

Incident Type: Closure due to flooding
County: Waukesha
Roadway: USH 018E
Direction: EB/WB
Cross Street: HWY 67 to Utica
Lanes Affected: All lanes blocked (both directions)
Time Incident Occurred: 8:45:00 AM
Estimated Duration: Unknown
Additional Info:

Date and Time Posted: 6/14/2008 9:38:19 AM

Incident Type: Flooding
County: Kenosha
Roadway: STH 050E
Direction: EB/WB
Cross Street: CTH W
Lanes Affected: Other
Time Incident Occurred: 8:00:00 AM
Estimated Duration: Unknown
Additional Info: Update detour: Eastbound HWY 50 take STH 83 northbound to CTH JB. Follow CTH JB eastbound to STH 75. Take STH 75 southbound back to STH 50. For westbound STH 50 follow STH 75 northbound to CTH JB. Take CTH JB westbound to STH 832, and follow STH 83 southbound back to STH 50.

Date and Time Posted: 6/14/2008 9:33:30 AM

Incident Type: Closure due to Flooding
County: Jefferson
Roadway: USH 018E
Direction: EB/WB
Cross Street: Latsch Lane to HWY 89
Lanes Affected: All lanes blocked (both directions)
Time Incident Occurred: 6:59:00 PM
Estimated Duration: unknown
Additional Info:

Date and Time Posted: 6/13/2008 6:59:37 PM

Incident Type: Roadway Flooding
County: Columbia
Roadway: IH 039N
Direction: NB/SB
Cross Street: Hwy 78 to Hwy 16
Lanes Affected: All lanes blocked (both directions)
Time Incident Occurred: 12:01:00 AM
Estimated Duration: unknown
Additional Info: (Updated 6/17/08, 8:07 a.m.) Detour Route: The southbound detour goes from STH-16 in Portage to USH-51 to I-39/90/94, North of Madison. The northbound detour follows the same route in reverse.

Date and Time Posted: 6/13/2008 4:24:07 PM

Incident Type: Flooding
County: Dane
Roadway: USH 014W
Direction: EB/WB
Cross Street: Hwy 92
Lanes Affected: All lanes blocked (both directions)
Time Incident Occurred: 4:25:00 AM
Estimated Duration: unknown
Additional Info: USH 14 @ Hwy 92 is closed in Brooklyn due to flooding

Date and Time Posted: 6/13/2008 4:32:41 AM

Incident Type: Flooding
County: Marquette
Roadway: STH 022N
Direction: NB/SB
Cross Street: HWY 23 to CTH B
Lanes Affected: All lanes blocked (both directions)
Time Incident Occurred: 11:40:00 PM
Estimated Duration: Unknown
Additional Info:

Date and Time Posted: 6/12/2008 11:49:35 PM

Incident Type: Flooding
County: Sauk
Roadway: STH 159E
Direction: EB/WB
Cross Street: From HWY 12 to STH 123
Lanes Affected: All lanes blocked (both directions)
Time Incident Occurred: 8:28:00 PM
Estimated Duration: Unknown
Additional Info:

Date and Time Posted: 6/12/2008 8:30:36 PM

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Tags: delivery disruptions, Midwest flooding, QWL NewsFlash

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