Department of Transportation Asks Drivers to Watch for Work Zones

(KNSI) — The Minnesota Department of Transportation is reminding drivers before they load up the Wagon Queen Family Truckster and head for the hills for the travel season, they will most likely encounter our other season: Road construction.

“While daily traffic volumes in the Metro area are still slightly down, we anticipate Memorial Day travel statewide will be similar to pre-pandemic levels,” said Brian Kary, traffic operations director, MnDOT’s Regional Transportation Management Center. “Motorists should drive the speed limit and be prepared to slow down or stop – especially as they approach and travel through work zones.”

Drivers should expect quickly changing road conditions, slower traffic, narrow lanes, lane shifts, detours, and delays as they travel through work zones throughout the state.

Some significant work zones in central Minnesota to watch for include:

Elk River – Highways 10, 101, and 169 are a single lane in each direction at the Hwy 10/101/169 interchange; Highway 169 is a single lane in each direction at 197th Avenue; watch for narrow lanes and ramp changes.
Highway 23 Foley to Milaca – Detour. Road closed between Foley and Milaca. Lane closures and lane shifts in Foley.
Highway 15 Kimball – Detour. Road closed between Highway 55 and Willow Creek Road.
Highway 27 Osakis – Detour. Road closed between County Road 51/County Road 82 in Osakis and Highway 71 south of Long Prairie.
Highway 29 overpass near Glenwood – Detour. Road closed between Highway 55 and County Road 28 north of Glenwood.
Highway 55 Wendell to Minnesota/North Dakota state line – Detour. Road closed between County Road 11 in Wendell and Highway 9.
Highway 200 Mahnomen to Roy Lake – Detour. Road closed east of Mahnomen to Roy Lake.

Northern Minnesota:

Highway 61 Stewart River and Silver Creek – Bridge bypass at Silver Creek, narrow lanes, no shoulders. Kelsey Beach parking lot at Stewart River is closed.
Highway 123 Sandstone – Lane closures and detours.
Highway 194 – Lane shifts and lane closures at Highway 194/Highway 53 intersection.
Highway 92 Zerkel – Detour. Closed between County Road 35 and Highway 200.
Highway 71 Bemidji – Reduced speed limit, narrow lanes, and lane shifts.
Highway 75 Crookston – Watch for closed lanes, flaggers, and pilot car operations.
Duluth/Twin Ports – Closure of SB I-35 to NB US 53 exit ramp. Traffic will be detoured from SB I-35 to 40th Ave W – Haines Rd – US 53.

Drivers in the far northern and northwestern parts of the state will encounter flooding issues.

For a complete list of road projects, click here.

Drivers can also check the 511 website or download the 511 app before they hit the road.

___