Extra caution urged on highways during Labor Day weekend, beginning of school year

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Minnesota Department of Transportation urges motorists to use extra caution during Labor Day weekend. Although most road construction is shut down over the Labor Day holiday, there are still highway work zones in place.

Motorists are also asked to be alert for pedestrians and bicyclists as many children return to school around the state.

“This is our last big weekend of the summer. School starts for most next week,” said Commissioner Charlie Zelle. “Drive safely through the work zones this weekend. Plan ahead, add extra time if needed. We want you to arrive safely and ready to enjoy this final bit of summer.”

Motorists may encounter bypasses, lane closures and detours. MnDOT recommends that motorists be prepared for slower moving traffic, think about using alternate routes, and call 5-1-1 or go to www.511mn.org to get information about road construction detours.

Highway projects that may affect weekend travel include:

Twin Cities

·         Interstate 94 between St. Paul and Maplewood – lane closures and ramp closures, expect delays

·         I-94 between Minneapolis and Brooklyn Center – lane closures and slow traffic

·         Highway 169 Golden Valley to Edina – detour

·         I-694 between Arden Hills and Vadnais Heights – two lanes in each direction, eastbound lanes separated by concrete median barrier

·         Highway 10 at I-35W – ramp from Highway 10 to northbound I-35W closed

·         I-35W between County Road H and County Road I – ramp closures

Central Minnesota

·         Highway 10 in Elk River – Eastbound single lane near Lake Orono, plan for delays, westbound lanes open

·         Highway 27/Highway 71 in Long Prairie – narrow lanes, no shoulders

·         Highway 65 Cambridge to Anoka County – single lane in each direction, plan for delays

·         Highway 210/Highway 169 north of Aitkin – narrow temporary bypass lanes at creek

·         Highway 371 Nisswa to south Pequot Lakes – single lane in each direction, with access changes, follow signs

Northern Minnesota

·         Highway 1/ Highway 169 Eagles Nest project – lane closures, flaggers

·         Highway 10 in Detroit Lakes – lane closures

·         I-94 Evansville to Garfield – single lane in each direction

·         I-35 over Highway 61 in Carlton County – single lane in each direction

·         Highway 53 relocation project in Virginia – single lane in each direction; Highway 135 – closed, detour

·         Highway 61 in Beaver Bay – single lane traffic in each direction

·         Highway 169, Highway 37 in Hibbing – single lane in each direction

·         Highway 73 in Kettle River – closed, detour

·         Highway 2 Kennedy Bridge between East Grand Forks, Minn., and Grand Forks, N.D. – closed, detour

West central Minnesota

·         Highway 7 – detour

·         Highway 29 in Montevideo – detour

Southern Minnesota

·         Highway 22 Mapleton to Mankato – detour

·         I-35 bridge replacements south of Owatonna – single lane in each direction

·         Highway 42 between Plainview and Kellogg – bridge closure, detour

·         Highway 52 between Zumbrota and Rosemount – lane closures

·         Highway 15 in New Ulm – detour

·         Highway 99 Minnesota River bridge in St. Peter – detour

For a complete list of road 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.

MnDOT urges motorists to be attentive, drive with caution, slow down in work zones and never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones.

Motorists are also reminded to look for children walking and bicycling at intersections, crosswalks and along roads near schools and to stop for them as they cross the street. Motorists should also give bicyclists a 3-foot clearance and to yield when they are making a turn.

For safety tips driving around pedestrians and bicyclists go to www.mndot.gov/bike/education/index.html and www.mndot.gov/peds/education/index.html.

Location Change for Crookston Town Hall Listening Session

St. Paul, MN - The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has been hosting a series of listening sessions around the state in conjunction with the Governor Mark Dayton’s 25BY25 water quality town hall meetings. The MDA meetings focus on a range of agricultural issues. Farmers, members of ag organizations, ag industry representatives, and the public are invited to attend.

There has been a change in location for the meeting in Crookston, MN, on Tuesday, September 5:

Date: Tuesday, September 5, Time: 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. at the Northwest Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota, Crookston, MN, Youngquist Auditorium

Additional MDA Town Hall Listening Sessions are scheduled as follows:

Date: Wednesday, September 6 Time: 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. at St. Cloud Technical and Community College, St. Cloud, MN Northway Building, Room 1-155

Date: Wednesday, September 13 Time: 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. at Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN

Hobson Memorial Union, Crying Wolf Room

For more information on the separate 25BY25 meetings hosted by Governor Dayton, visit www.eqb.state.mn.us/Townhalls.

MnDOT urges safety on the roads during harvest season

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Motorists traveling on Minnesota highways this fall need to be aware of large farm equipment transporting crops to markets, grain elevators and processing plants, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. 

“Harvest season is getting in full swing across the state and farmers and their equipment are out on the highways,” said Jay Hietpas, state traffic engineer. “Motorists need to be prepared to encounter slow-moving farm vehicles, especially on rural, two-lane roads.”

Farm equipment is large and heavy, making it hard for operators to accelerate, slow down and stop. The equipment also makes wide turns and sometimes crosses over the center line. In addition, farm vehicles can create large blind spots, making it difficult for operators to see approaching vehicles. All of these factors can cause serious crashes. 

From 2011 to 2015, there were 688 crashes involving farm vehicles that resulted in 23 fatalities and 348 injuries.  Nearly half of the fatalities were an occupant of the farm vehicle.

“Twenty-two percent of all farm equipment crashes and 29 percent of the fatalities were distraction-related,” Hietpas said. “Other factors were speed-related and alcohol-related.”

Motorists should:

·         Watch for debris dropped by trucks hauling sugar beets and other crops. It is safer to brake or slowly drive through debris than to veer into oncoming cars or off the road.

·         When approaching farm equipment, slow down and use caution. Put additional space between your vehicle and the farm equipment ahead. Don’t assume the equipment operator can see you.

·         Be patient and wait for a safe place to pass.

·         Wear seatbelts.

·         Drive with headlights on at all times.

Farm equipment operators should:

·         Use lights and flashers to make equipment more visible.

·         Use slow-moving vehicle emblems on equipment traveling less than 30 mph.

·         Drive slow-moving vehicles in the right-hand lane as close to the edge of the roadway as possible.

·         Consider using an escort vehicle when moving equipment, especially at night and if the equipment is large enough that it may extend across the center line.

·         Avoid encouraging or signaling motorists to pass. Pull over when safe, and let traffic pass.

·         Pick up any debris left on the highway by the equipment.

·         Plan their routes so wide equipment will not hit or damage signs, guardrails, light poles and other roadway structures.