TARKIO, Mo. (AP) — Floodwater from the bloated Missouri River that has covered miles of roads around the state’s northwest for nearly three months is still causing headaches for residents and towns suddenly dealing with increased traffic, and state transportation officials say it’s unclear when any repair work will begin.

Sixty-five miles of road remain submerged, including some of the few routes with bridges across the Missouri. And six miles of Interstate 29 just across the Missouri-Iowa border is still underwater, with another 14 miles submerged just north of Council Bluffs, Iowa, The Kansas City Star reported.

In some areas of the state, the water has carved out holes 40 feet deep under highway pavement.

The full amount of damage and when repairs might start are still unknown.

“It is too early for us to predict,” said Beth Wright, state maintenance engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation. “We are certainly hopeful we can start addressing damaged roads at least by the middle to end of September to the middle of October.”

That’s not good news for drivers like Sherry Gayler, 61, of Rock Port, who used to have a 15 minute drive to her job at the Cooper Nuclear Station near Brownville, Neb.

Her fastest route now is to drive 65 miles into Iowa, take a bridge into Plattsmouth, Neb., and then drive another 60 miles south to work — a 125-mile commute.

“I leave at 5:30 a.m.” Gayler said. “It takes me 2 1⁄2 hours one way.”

Like many Cooper employees, Gayler stays with a friend during the week and drives home on Thursdays, to avoid the long daily commute.

Don Stevens, assistant district engineer for the Iowa Department of Transportation, said that when the water does recede, highway employees will use ground-penetrating ultrasound and other devices to test the road and ground beneath, but that it could take months before repairs begin.

“Our hope is to get as much (tested) as

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