Morning update: Cooler with rain

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By Rick Rector | Thursday, July 24, 2008 |

Good morning, Quad-Cities. At 6 a.m. it’s 63 degrees under fair skies. Today there’s a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. The high will be near 78 degrees. Tonight also brings a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. The low will be around 66 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

About 27,400 Quad-City area MidAmerican Energy customers remain without power this morning including more than 7,900 in Moline and 10,400 in Rock Island, according to MidAmerican’s Web site. Most MidAmerican customers in the Illinois Quad-Cities should have power restored by late tonight. Most Iowa customers were expected to have power restored by early today, according to MidAmerican.

Moline roads closings update

• John Deere Road between 16th to 38th streets in Moline has reopened with one lane in each direction.

• John Deere Road is open between 38th and 70th streets, but without traffic signals. Drivers are reminded to use caution and that Illinois state law requires drivers to make a complete stop at every traffic light that is out, as if it were a stop sign.

• John Deere Road east of 70th Street remains closed due to downed power lines and poles.

• 41st Street south of Avenue of the Cities remains closed.

Rock Island road closings update

Most roads in Rock Island should be passable, except where power lines are down. Areas that are closed include:

• 31st Avenue from 5th Street to Illinois 92

• 17th Street from 25th Avenue to the Trinity Medical Center entrance

• 30th Street from 5th to 7th avenues

• Crews are still cleaning the roadways of debris, limbs and trees. Call public works at (309) 732-2200 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to report any blocked roadways. To report a downed power line, contact MidAmerican Energy at (800) 799-4443.

• Facilities still closed due to power outages include: Southwest and 30/31 Branch Library, Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center (with summer camp and activities canceled through Friday), Sunset Marina, Rock Island Fitness & Activity Center, Fire Stations 3 and 4. Emergency response has not been affected.

Lanes closed on I-80 bridge as precaution

Outside lanes on the Interstate 80 bridge in the Quad-Cities have been closed as a precautionary measure due to findings made during an inspection of the steel-girder bridge at LeClaire, Iowa.

Joint inspection teams from Iowa and Illinois were performing a routine bridge inspection Wednesday when they discovered cracks in the steel framing under the deck of the bridge.

The lane closures will remain in place until repairs can be made.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is the lead agency responsible for the maintenance of the structure. Illinois will be preparing detailed repair plans and arranging for the repair work. The Iowa DOT will provide technical engineering assistance as requested.

The duration of the lane closures is not known at this time and will be determined based on the repair plan and work schedule.

Check for other area road work/closings and closings across Iowa and Illinois before you head out this morning.

Also, check out our gas-price guide for the cheapest prices at the pumps in the Quad-Cities.

The race for Bix

The Quad-City Times Bix 7 road race is Saturday. You can register online at bix7.com.

River levels

The Iowa River is falling, but still above flood stage in the area. The Iowa River at Columbus Junction is at 19.16 feet. Flood stage is 19 feet. In Wapello, the river is at 21.39. Flood stage is 20 feet. In Moline the Rock is now below flood stage. Early this morning it was at 11.82 feet. Flood stage is 12 feet. Click here for other local river levels.

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Today’s events

• Meditation in Davenport (6 p.m.)

• Horticultural Society in Davenport (6:30 p.m.)

• Lap Band Surgery support group in Davenport (6:30 p.m.)

• Quad-City Steamwheelers vs. Lexington Horsemen in Moline (7 p.m.)

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See news happening? Contact us

Stuck in traffic? See an accident or fire on your way to work? Drop us an e-mail at newsroom@qctimes.com or give us a call at (563) 383-2235 if you see breaking news such as house fires, traffic accidents and road conditions, street closures/detours and water main breaks in the Quad-City region.