MnDOT open houses for Hwy 75 projects in Halstad and Hendrum

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Those who travel highway 75 in Halstad or Hendrum are encouraged to attend an open house to learn about this summer’s construction project.

Open house attendees will be able to learn about the project’s construction details, planned traffic changes, along with detour routes and schedule. A large layout of the project will be on display and MnDOT staff will be on hand to answer any questions about the project.

The open houses will be held at the following locations and times:

·         Halstad- April 2, 6 to 8 p.m., Legion Recreation Center, 580 Second Avenue West

·         Hendrum-  April 3, 6 to 8 p.m., Hendrum Fire Station, 309 Main Street West

Each of the projects include a grade raise at the levee, lighting upgrades, replacement of city sewer and utilities, sidewalk reconstruction and pedestrian accessibility improvements. It is scheduled to begin in June and will last through September, weather permitting.

To request an ASL or foreign language interpreter, call 651-366-4720. To request other reasonable accommodations, call 651-366-4718; the Minnesota Relay Service toll-free at 1-800-627-3529 (TYY, Voice or ASCII) or 711, or email your request to adarequest.dot@state.mn.us.

For real-time traffic and travel information in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org or get the free smartphone app at Google Play or the App Store.

Spring load restrictions begin

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Winter load increases will end Thursday, March 14 and spring load restrictions will start Friday, March 15 on highways in the south, southeast, metro and central frost zones, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The frost zones can be found on the MnDOT load limits map.

Road restriction maps showing locations of weight-restricted routes are listed at mndot.gov/loadlimits. Click on Spring Load Restrictions and then any of the mapping options.

Overweight permits for more than 80,000 pound gross vehicle weight will continue and new permits will be issued if all axle and group weights are legal. See axle weight limits.

Full-summer overweight permits can be issued during the spring load restriction period when engaging in interstate through movement travel only (no starting or stopping off the interstate system).

Middle-range overweight permits become available within each frost zone when spring load restrictions are lifted. Full-summer overweight permits become available two to three weeks after spring load restrictions are lifted. 

Ending dates for spring load restrictions are variable and based on how weather is affecting roadway strength. 

MnDOT will report start and end 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.

For questions about legal axle weight during spring load restrictions or the gross vehicle weight schedule, call the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement at 651-350-2000.

For questions about oversize/overweight loads/permitting call MnDOT’s Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations – Oversize/Overweight Permits at 651-296-6000 or email ofcvopermits.dot@state.mn.us

For updated road condition information, call 511 or visit www.511mn.org.

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Spring rain, snow melt may cause localized flooding, road closures

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. – Spring rain, melting snow and culverts and catch basins plugged with ice can cause water to back up onto highways. The Minnesota Department of Transportation wants to remind motorists to be watchful for flooded areas as water can rise quickly.

In many areas, ditches are filled with snow and the roadway shoulders have high banks of snow. MnDOT crews have already been working to push back snowbanks and clear catch basins, and will continue working with law enforcement to monitor conditions. If flooding occurs, lanes or other sections of highway may need to be closed with barricades and other traffic control devices.

MnDOT wants to remind all motorists that driving through standing or moving water is dangerous and that it is unlawful to drive through areas where roads are barricaded. Vehicles can be swept away in only several inches of moving water.

For real-time traffic and travel information in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org or get the free smartphone app at Google Play or the App Store.