ST. PAUL, MN – More than 200 construction projects that will help maintain Minnesota’s roads and bridges, improve safety, and support thousands of construction jobs across the state will be worked on this year, the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced today.
In addition, crews will make safety and infrastructure improvements to 51 multimodal projects, which are airport, port, transit, and railroad projects that are outside of the state road construction program.
“Safe, reliable, efficient and sustainable transportation is vital to the quality of life and economic success of our state,” said MnDOT Commissioner Margaret Anderson Kelliher. “Although Minnesota’s transportation needs greatly outnumber available resources, this year’s construction program demonstrates MnDOT’s commitment to making smart investments in our system to better serve all people.”
Minnesotans can also find an interactive map and full 2021 project list at mndot.gov/construction. Individual project pages include information about construction schedules, traffic impacts, maps, benefits and costs.
Highlights of this year’s program in southeast Minnesota include:
•Expanding 12.5 miles of Highway 14 between Dodge Center and Owatonna from two lanes to four lanes to improve capacity, safety, travel times and access. When finished in 2022, this project will complete a continuous four-lane road between Mankato and Rochester.
•Reconstructing Highway 52 southbound between Cannon Falls and Zumbrota, building an interchange at Hwy 52 and Hwy 57/Goodhue County Road 8 and making other safety improvements. This is one of the Highway 52 corridor projects that is planned between Rochester and St. Paul from 2021 through 2024.
•Completing Highway 63/Interstate 90 project north of Stewartville in August of 2021. This project began in 2020 and includes replacing two bridges, making interchange improvements and rerouting Hwy 30 and 90th Street SE.
•Resurfacing 8.5 miles of Highway 250 from South Branch Root River at Lanesboro to Highway 30 and replacing eight culverts.
The Hwy 250 detour is planned for up to eight weeks from July to Fall 2021. Planned detour route is: Hwy 30 East to Fillmore County Road 26 to Peterson, then Hwy 16 southwest to Lanesboro.
•Resurfacing 8 miles of Highway 21 through Shieldsville from about one mile west of I-35 to Highway 99, installing new turn lanes and/or bypass lanes at several locations and improving intersection safety at Rice County Road 62 (Halstad Avenue).
“Our crews work tirelessly to keep our transportation safe for all people, and we appreciate Minnesotans’ patience and understanding,” Anderson Kelliher said. “Remember, we’re all in the work zone together. Watch out for work zones, travel at the posted speed limit, put your phone away and avoid distractions while driving.”
Motorists can stay informed about projects and other transportation topics by connecting to MnDOT via social media, as well as by signing up to receive email updates at www.mndot.gov.
Safety
Motorists may encounter lane closures or lane shifts, uneven road surfaces, equipment and other unexpected obstacles when driving near or through work zones. MnDOT advises motorists to:
•Find up-to-date information about traffic and road conditions at www.511mn.org or get the free smartphone app at Google Play or the App Store.
•Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
•Go hands-free and minimize other distractions (e.g., don’t eat or drink while driving).
•Follow posted speed limits; the fine for speeding in a work zone is $300.
•Avoid making lane changes within work zones.