MnDOT plans summer work on highways

Published 12:00 am Thursday, April 13, 2000

Bridge and culvert replacement work along Interstate 90 is the only Mower County project in the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s highway improvement program this summer.

Thursday, April 13, 2000

Bridge and culvert replacement work along Interstate 90 is the only Mower County project in the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s highway improvement program this summer.

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According to MnDOT, $500,000 of bridge and culvert replacements just east of Highway 56 and two miles west of Highway 56 are on the summer schedule. Single-lane traffic in each direction, plus a partial ramp closing at Highway 56 resulting in a ramp traffic detour, are the expected impact on motorists. The work is slated to be done in August and September.

In addition, MnDOT plans to resurface a rough portion of Highway 251, a major thoroughfare in Freeborn County to Maple Island and Hollandale.

Overall, more than $40 million is being earmarked this year for transportation improvements in the 11 counties of southeastern Minnesota.

"The Legislature is currently deciding on future transportation funding packages," said Nelrae Succio, transportation district engineer for MnDOT. "The impact on construction could be significant.

"If the Legislature supports the governor’s ‘Movin’ Minnesota’ plan, construction projects could be moved up as soon as next semester," Succio said.

In the area, $6 million is designated for the Highway 14 bypass in Dodge County, resulting in detours on County roads 1 and 9 and the permanent closings of several township connections.

Interstate 35 in Freeborn County will see a $1.2 million upgrade to the Albert Lea rest area travel information center. In addition, $2 million in work to replace bridges over the Shellrock River and Union Pacific Railroad tracks in Albert Lea will be done.