For The Herald

ROCHESTER — The ramp from westbound Highway 14 to northbound Interstate 35 will close each weekend through September beginning Friday, Aug. 13, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Ramp closure schedule:

Friday, Aug. 13 – Sunday, Aug. 15

Friday, Aug. 20 – Sunday, Aug. 29 (Note: extended closure)

Friday, Sept. 3 – Monday, Sept. 6

Friday, Sept. 10 – Sunday, Sept. 12

Friday, Sept. 17 – Sunday, Sept. 19

Friday, Sept. 24 – Sunday, Sept. 26

All closures will begin at 3 p.m. on Friday and end at 9 p.m. on the last day of the closure.

Detour:

Steele County Road 180 west to Steele County Road 43 north to Steele County Road 8 west, continue on Steele County Road 34 west and back to I-35 north.

Motorists needing to continue on Highway 14 west should stay on Steele County Road 34 west/26th Street Northwest to 24th Avenue Northwest and back onto Highway 14 west toward Mankato.

The ramp closure is necessary to reduce traffic back-ups on I-35 northbound during peak weekend travel times. The extended closure is needed to replace a culvert on the ramp.

I-35 motorists are encouraged to avoid the area and find alternate routes if possible when back-ups occur.

Construction on I-35 is part of the three-year reconstruction of Highway 14 from Waseca to Owatonna which also includes construction of a new interchange at I-35 and Highway 14.