MnDOT conducts aerial photography in Cass, Hubbard and Polk County

BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation is asking residents not to disturb wood panel photography targets as crews begin aerial mapping in Cass, Hubbard and Polk Counties.

The survey mapping projects will take place in the following locations:

·         Cass- Highway 200 from the Highway 371 Casino Jct to three miles east

·         Hubbard- Highway 34 in the City of Akeley

·         Hubbard- Highway 64 from Highway 34 to north of 11^th Crow Wing Lake

·         Polk- Highway 2 from Erskine to Marcoux

The aerial survey process relies on clear observations, so it can only be conducted after the leaves fall from the trees and before the snow flies. To begin the process crews place an “X” on the ground as a reference point for the aerial photographer.

The mapping will create a record of existing infrastructure and landscape along MnDOT right of way for transportation planning and operations. “Crews paint large white ‘X’ targets on paved surfaces” said Dan Domeier, MnDOT Land Surveyor. “For unpaved locations they use a wood panel target.”

A survey crew then records the coordinate position and elevation of these targets, and provides that information to the aerial photography company.

The wood panel targets are temporary and will be removed when the photography is completed. MnDOT requests that landowners not remove or disturb the targets until the photography is completed.

If a target must be moved, please contact MnDOT District 2 survey staff at 218-755-6533 or by email at daniel.domeier@state.mn.us.

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

Prescribed burn taking place southwest of Highway 75 near Crookston Tuesday, April 28

Bemidji, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Transportation is conducting a prescribed burn along Highway 75 southwest of Crookston on Tuesday, April 28.

Trained prescribed burn crews monitor these burns. Burns operations are conducted to promote native prairie vegetation growth and control weeds and brush.

Traffic should not be affected and Highway 75 will remain open during the burn.

Prescribed burns are scheduled during optimal weather conditions to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Native prairie vegetation is planted along highway right of way to reduce the amount of mowing needed, which saves taxpayer money. Burning serves as a safety measure. Prescribed fire is used to control brush and small trees near the roadway, which would otherwise become safety hazards. Fire promotes tall native grasses and forbs that trap blowing snow and prevent it from drifting across the road.

Several prescribed burns remain on MnDOT’s schedule in northwestern Minnesota and will be done as weather conditions and road construction schedules allow. Others are:

· Highway 75 in Polk County north of Crookston

· Highway 75 in Marshall County between Warren and Stephen.

· Highway 75 in Kittson County between Halma and Lake Bronson.

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

For real-time traffic and travel information anywhere in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org, call 5-1-1 or log on to www.mndot.gov.