Extra caution urged on highways during Labor Day weekend

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.