MODOT says U.S. Route 61 is NOW OPEN to traffic following a temporary closure, from just south of the Iowa State line to east of U.S. Route 136, near Alexandria in Clark County, to install new culvert pipes on a 1.3 mile project to raise the roadway approximately 2.5 feet. The next phase of work is scheduled to begin this Fall to complete grading work for the reconstruction of the roadway. Pavement will be installed using successive lifts (or stairstep layers) of asphalt to raise the grade of the highway and allow for reduced future traffic impacts due to seasonal flooding experienced in this area.