St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced that the agency will undertake 188 road and bridge projects statewide during the 2020 season to help maintain the state’s roads and bridges, improve safety and support construction jobs across the state. Some of the projects have already begun and others – such as the work on Hwy 5 around Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport – are proceeding ahead of schedule in light of the reduced traffic volumes in Minnesota due to statewide efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, MnDOT will work on another 66 projects to make improvements to airports, transit and railroads that are outside of the state road construction program.
“It is critical that MnDOT continue its work to maintain and improve our state’s transportation infrastructure,” said Commissioner Margaret Anderson Kelliher. “A safe, reliable and multi modal transportation system is essential to keeping our state running in times of crisis.
MnDOT construction projects will continue as scheduled and within the guidance set by state and federal health officials to prevent further spread of COVID-19. We are especially grateful to our employees and partners in labor and the private sector for working together and prioritizing safety for workers on project sites.”
Governor Tim Walz provided an exemption for workers engaged in roadway construction, maintenance and utility projects in the Stay at Home Executive Order 20-20.
2020 road and bridge construction
An interactive map of the full 2020 construction program can be found at mndot.gov/construction. This year’s program features a number of projects in the Twin Cities metro area,
Greater Minnesota will also see significant work this summer, including:
South central (MnDOT District 7)
• Hwy 71 Jackson to Windom/Windom to Hwy 30 – Resurface and replace bridge
Southwest (MnDOT District 8)
• Hwy 23 Cottonwood to Granite Falls – Resurface with concrete 18 miles from Cottonwood to Granite Falls; realign Lyon CR 9 intersection in Cottonwood and construct several left-turn lanes
For a complete list of projects by highway, visit mndot.gov/roadwork/current.html. Project page information includes construction schedule, traffic impacts, maps, benefits and costs.
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 mndot.gov.
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:
• Check 511mn.org for up-to-date information about traffic and road conditions
• Expect delays, especially during peak travel times
• Minimize distractions (e.g., don’t use cell phones or eat or drink while driving)
• Follow posted speed limits; fines are up to $300 in work zones
• Avoid making lane changes within work zones
