(A-P) — A stretch of Interstate 680 in western Iowa will be renamed Interstate 880 to end confusion that officials say often occurs during flooding. There are two stretches of I-680: a 3-mile portion that runs east to Interstate 29 from Mormon Bridge connecting Iowa to Nebraska on the north end of Omaha. That low-lying portion has been closed by Missouri River flooding several times this year and before.

The other stretch of I-680 is 10 miles north. It runs east for 16 miles to connect with Interstate 80. It will be renamed Interstate 880. Iowa Transportation Department spokesman Scott Suhr says the confusion arises when people read or hear that I-680 has been closed by flooding. They assume both sections are closed when actually only the low-lying, 3-mile stretch is affected.
Roadway signage will be changing in coming weeks, as will changes to online navigation and mapping systems.