MnDOT urges caution in work zones over Memorial Day

Published 9:06 am Thursday, May 26, 2016

ST. PAUL — The Memorial Day weekend is approaching and summer construction roadwork around the state is getting into full swing. The Minnesota Department of Transportation urges motorists to use extra caution while driving through highway work zones.

Sue Mulvihill, deputy commissioner and chief engineer, said MnDOT suspends work on most projects during the holiday weekend, but cautions drivers to be alert.

“There are still many work zones around the state where drivers need to plan ahead, pay attention and slow down to make it a safe weekend for everyone,” she said in a press release.

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Motorists should be prepared for slower moving traffic and use extra caution in highway work zones. Plan ahead, think about alternate routes and go to www.511mn.org before leaving home to get information about road construction and detours.

In particular, Twin Cities travelers heading to Alexandria, Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls and other areas of northwest Minnesota may encounter major delays along Interstate 94 for several resurfacing and reconstruction projects. Motorists on eastbound I-94 from northwest Minnesota to the Twin Cities should consider using Highway 55.

Motorists should consider avoiding the time period between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Sunday and Monday for eastbound I-94 near Collegeville/St. John’s. Significant delays are expected with only one lane of lane traffic open through September 2016.

Other highway projects that may affect weekend travel on May 27-30 include:

Southern Minnesota

•Highway 169 between St. Peter and Mankato, detour

•Highway 52 southbound between Zumbrota and Pine Island, single lane traffic

•Highway 23 between Holland and Pipestone, Russell to Florence, detour

Twin Cities area

•I-35E between Vadnais Heights and White Bear Lake, lane and ramp closures

•Highway 61 in Forest Lake, single-lane traffic

•I-94 between St. Paul and Maplewood, overnight lane reductions, daytime intermittent lane and ramp closures

•Highway 280 between I-35W and Broadway St., closed, detour

•I-494 in Plymouth, multiple lane and ramp closures

•Highway 100 in St. Louis Park, ramp closures and lane shift

•Highway 8 between Highway 95 and Taylor Falls, closed, detour

Central Minnesota

•I-94 between St. Cloud and Collegeville, lane and ramp closures, and slow traffic

•Highway 169 north of Milaca, one lane each direction and slow traffic

•I-35 between Pine City and Hinckley, lane shifts and slow traffic

•Highway 9 between Ada and Borup, detour

•Highway 23/Willmar Bypass, westbound lane closures

Northern Minnesota

•I-35 in Duluth, lane restrictions and ramp closures

•I-94/Highway 29 in Alexandria, single lane on Highway 29, expect delays

•County Road 1 in Pequot Lakes, closed east of Highway 371, detour

•I-94/Highway 75 in Moorhead, lane closures on Highway 75, and slow traffic

For a complete list of projects, including construction dates and traffic impacts, visit www.mndot.gov/roadwork/current.html. Motorists may also sign up to receive email updates for major projects at www.mndot.gov/emailupdates.