Spring truck weight restrictions end for NC frost zone

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation will end spring weight restrictions in the north-central frost zone May 1. Spring load restrictions have already ended in the southeast, south, metro and central frost zones.

Spring load restrictions are still in effect in the north frost zone. Road restriction maps indicating the locations of weight restricted routes and those state highways open to maximum 10-ton axle weights are listed on the MnDOT Seasonal Load Limits website at www.mndot.gov/loadlimits. Click on “Spring Load Restrictions.” Also available is a text list of the restricted segments along with exceptions to the map.

Permits for over 80,000 pound gross vehicle weight will continue and new permits will be issued if all axle and group weights are legal.  Up to full-summer overweight permits can be issued during the spring load restriction period only on interstate through movements. Middle-range overweight permits become available within each frost zone when spring load restrictions are lifted. Full-summer overweight permits become available within each frost zone starting two to three weeks after spring load restrictions are lifted. For questions about the legal weight and size heavy haul trucking call MnDOT’s Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations department at 651-296-6000 or email ofcvopermits.dot@state.mn.us.

For enforcement questions, call the State Patrol’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement at 651-405-6196 and select option 3 and then option 3.

MnDOT will report dates on its 24-hour automated message center at 1‑800‑723‑6543 for the U.S. and Canada, and locally at 651‑366‑5400 for the Minneapolis/St.Paul area.

Highway 59 resurfacing topic of open house on May 9 in Mahnomen

BEMIDJI, Minn. – The public is invited to attend an informational meeting on Tuesday, May 9 to learn more about this summer’s 36-mile resurfacing project on Highway 59 from Winger to Callaway.

The open house will be held from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the White Earth Tribal and Community College, 2250 College Road, Mahnomen.

The meeting will be held as an open house with no formal presentation and everyone is welcome to come when convenient. Representatives of the project team will be on hand to discuss the project details and answer questions.

The project is scheduled to begin on May 15 and is expected to be complete by September 1. Along with resurfacing from Winger to Callaway, it includes additional work in Mahnomen with construction of turn lanes, sidewalks, bike trail and pedestrian accessibility improvements.

To request an ASL or foreign language interpreter, call 651-366-4720.  To request other reasonable accommodations, call 651-366-4718 or email adarequest.dot@state.mn.us.

For real-time travel information and road conditions anywhere in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org.

Water Quality Town Hall Meetings to Be Held Across MN

ST. PAUL, MN – Joined by environmental advocates, lawmakers, and concerned Minnesotans for Water Action Day at the Minnesota State Capitol, Governor Mark Dayton today announced a series of Water Quality Town Hall meetings beginning in late July. The town halls will offer Minnesotans an opportunity to discuss the water quality challenges facing their communities and our state, learn from experts, and engage with policymakers. The town hall meetings build on the momentum from Governor Dayton’s “25 by 25” Water Quality goal proposal, announced earlier this year.

“All Minnesotans have a stake in water that’s safe for drinking, swimming, and fishing,” said Governor Dayton. “These town hall meetings will further the important conversations already happening across Minnesota around water quality. Together we can develop strategies and solutions that work for all of our communities.”

The State of Minnesota will host ten town hall meetings in communities across the state from late July through early October. These meetings are free to attend and open to the public.

In addition to attending the town halls, Minnesotans are encouraged to host their own community meetings about water quality from June through August. These Community Water Meetings offer an opportunity for cities, schools, families, and friends to identify ways individuals can work at the local level to move Minnesota towards the 25 by 25 goal. Individuals interested in registering to hold their own meeting can find more information at www.eqb.state.mn.us/25by25.

Earlier this year, Governor Dayton announced a new goal to improve Minnesota’s water quality 25 percent by 2025. Without additional action, the quality of Minnesota’s waters is expected to improve only 6 to 8 percent by 2034. If the goal is approved by the Legislature, a series of town halls and community meetings would engage local governments, farmers, scientists, environmental groups, and business leaders in a collaborative effort to address Minnesota’s water quality challenges.

Achieving a 25 percent improvement in water quality statewide would require Minnesota to take aggressive, yet achievable action. It also would help Minnesota meet existing commitments to reduce phosphorus 12 percent by 2025 and nitrogen 45 percent by 2040 in the Mississippi River.

Attend a Water Quality Town Hall This Summer or Fall

Town hall meetings have been scheduled in communities across Minnesota. Additional scheduling details will be made available ahead of the events.

·         Rochester – Water Quality Town Hall Monday, July 31, 2017 ·         Marshall – Water Quality Town Hall Wednesday, August 16, 2017 ·         Mankato – Water Quality Town Hall Thursday, August 17, 2017 ·         Crookston – Water Quality Town Hall Tuesday, September 5, 2017 ·         St. Cloud – Water Quality Town Hall Wednesday, September 6, 2017

·         Ely – Water Quality Town Hall Tuesday, September 12, 2017 ·         Bemidji – Water Quality Town Hall Wednesday, September 13, 2017 ·         Minneapolis – Water Quality Town Hall Tuesday, September 26, 2017 ·         Burnsville – Water Quality Town Hall Wednesday, October 4, 2017 ·         Maplewood – Water Quality Town Hall Thursday, October 5, 2017

Additional information will be available at www.eqb.state.mn.us/25by25.