With the snow slowly melting, Minnesota’s next season is about to close some lanes on Interstate 90.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation released its docket of more than 300 road construction projects for 2013 at a cost of $1.1 billion to build, repair and resurface the states roads and bridges.

Of those 300 state projects, only two are slated on Mower County roads this spring and summer, but both will last months and include lane closures.

Both are on Interstate 90. The first is a $7.6 million project to resurface the interstate from Highway 105 to Mower County Road 1, which could begin next month and last through July.

The second is a $2-million project to resurface the interstate from Dexter to Mower County Road 1, which will last from July to November. Both projects will include long-term lane closures.

The 300 MnDOT construction projects will include improvements to highways, bridges and other state transportation infrastructure.

“The $1.1 billion that we are investing in our state transportation system this year will increase regional connections throughout the state, as well as support jobs and community-building that make Minnesota a great place to live and do business,” said MnDOT Commissioner Charlie Zelle in a press release.

The 2013 construction program includes work on 87 projects in the Twin Cities and 193 projects in Greater Minnesota. An additional 57 projects statewide will improve safety at railroad crossings, repair seawalls and docks, make improvements on runways and terminals at regional airports, and improve transit centers.

Because of the number of work zones motorists will encounter as crews perform road construction and maintenance work, MnDOT urgers drivers to be alert on the road this summer.

“We understand that some of these construction projects may temporarily add time to your commutes, and we appreciate your cooperation in keeping yourselves — and our crews — safe,” Zelle said.

 

County projects

Public Works Director Mike Hanson said the county will finalize its road construction plan in a few weeks, but one project that’s for certain is the second phase of the Roosevelt Bridge historical renovation. This summer’s work will cost about $2.5 million, but most is being funded through federal grants.

When the project is finished, the bridge will have new sidewalks on both sides.

Previous estimates call for the total project, which closed the bridge much of last summer, to cost about $3.6 million, but only about $800,000 would be local dollars. About $2.1 would come from federal dollars, and about $800,000 would be from state bonds.

The bridge spans the Cedar River on Fourth Street SE between Fourth Avenue and Sixth Avenue.

 

City projects

The city has scheduled street construction pr