Northbound motorists on Interstate 35 who want to exit to westbound Interstate 90 will be detoured for about one week beginning on Monday for ramp repairs, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Concrete and blacktop repairs will begin on the I-35 ramp to westbound I-90 on Monday morning, so motorists will be directed to I-90 east on the detour. The detour takes motorists to the Freeborn County Road 26 exit (exit 163) where they will cross the highway and then return westbound on I-90.

MnDOT urges motorists to always be attentive, drive with caution, slow down in work zones and never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones.

MnDOT announces availability of $9.7M in grants for local community projects

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is inviting Minnesota communities, schools and their partners are invited to apply for funding for local projects that enhance transportation goals.

A total of $9.7 million is available through two competitive grant programs: the Transportation Alternatives Program and the Safe Routes to School program.

The TAP funding is for Greater Minnesota communities, schools and regional agencies to fund pedestrian and bicycle facilities, historic preservation, Scenic Byways and Safe Routes to School programs. The SRTS funding is available statewide for pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects.

Application options include:

Transportation Alternatives Program — $7.5 million: To apply for TAP, applicants must submit a letter of intent describing the key components of their project by Oct. 30. A regional representative will contact applicants to help review the project proposal, determine eligibility and outline the steps necessary for delivering a federally funded project. The full application is due Jan. 8, 2016.

For grant details see the Transportation Alternatives Program website at www.mndot.gov/map-21/tap.html.

Safe Routes to Schools — $2.2 million: In addition to the TAP funding, approximately $2.2 million is also available for Safe Routes to School planning and infrastructure projects through separate statewide Safe Routes to School solicitations.

SRTS planning grants are available for schools and their partners to develop a SRTS plan, which will analyze existing conditions, gather public input and identify potential infrastructure and non-infrastructure solutions. Applicants must submit an application to MnDOT by Jan. 8, 2016.

Infrastructure grants are available for schools, in partnership with cities or counties, to receive funding support for infrastructure identified through planning efforts that improve safety and access for children walking and bicycling to school. Applicants should submit a letter of intent to MnDOT by Oct. 30.

For grant details see the Safe Routes to School website at www.mndot.gov/saferoutes/grants.html.

MnDOT road, bridge projects nearing completion

Road and bridge construction season continues in southeastern Minnesota as October begins. However, the Minnesota Department of Transportation notes that many projects should wrap up in October, while some will stretch into early November, weather permitting.

Many of the construction projects underway in southeastern Minnesota can be viewed on individual MnDOT project pages. Go to www.dot.state.mn.us/d6/news.html to review additional details on many of these projects.

Here is a listing of many of the projects that began this summer or continued from previous summers in southeastern Minnesota:

Projects completed:

•Highway 14: roundabout at Highway 42 near Eyota

•Old Highway 14: repaving, repairs in Owatonna

•Highway 63: concrete pavement repair from Spring Valley to Iowa

•Highway 63: repaving from 28th Street South to south of Rochester International Airport

•Highway 60: bridge replacements at Mazeppa

•Highway 56: pedestrian ramp replacement in West Concord

•Highway 44: remove retaining wall, grade slope in Hokah

•Highway 61: resurface, grade, add turn lanes south and north of Red Wing

Projects that continue:

•Interstate 90: Dresbach Bridge near La Crosse, Wisconsin.

•Highway 43: Winona Bridge

•Highway 26: bridge replacement south of Brownsville

•Highway 63: bridge replacements south of Lake City

•I-90: concrete paving from St. Charles to Eyota

•Highway 42: repaving, culvert replacement from Eyota to Plainview

•I-90: bridge repairs near Highway 52 exit south of Rochester

•Highway 63: concrete pavement repairs north of Stewartville

•Highway 56: culvert replacement near LeRoy and Adams

•Interstate 35: reconstruction in Owatonna

•I-35: concrete paving from Ellendale to Albert Lea

•Highway 14: expansion east of Owatonna

•Highway 14: repaving from Dodge Center to Owatonna

•Highway 65: repaving in Albert Lea

•Highway 16: Historic wayside rest area rehabilitation. Inspiration Point south of Lanesboro

•Highway 19: Historic bridge rehabilitation in Northfield

•Highway 61: reconstruction in downtown Red Wing

•Highway 63: interchange reconstruction at Rochester International Airport

•Interstate 90: bike trail work in Winona County