Minnesota Major Road Closures for Memorial Day Weekend

There are cones, big signs, electric notices and state workers out there in orange vests. But still, people drive to fast and continue to not pay attention as they call and suffer from, as my fellow writer from Oklahoma Noble McIntyre describes, driving inTEXTicated .

This weekends major shutdowns from BringMeTheNews:

In the metro:

Hwy 169: The reconstruction of the Crosstown overpass has the southbound lanes closed at Hwy. 62. The detour takes motorists west on Hwy. 212 to 494, then back to 169.

I-694: Both directions of the freeway between I-35W and Shingle Creek Parkway have lane and ramp closures from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.

I-35: Lane closures between County Road 50 and County 70 in both directions in Lakeville and Elko.

Greater Minnesota

I-94: Intermittent lane closures associated with a repaving project between Wright County Road 8 and County 75 on either side of Monticello. North Wright County Today warned motorists to expect slowdowns to to the narrowed, temporary lanes

I-35: Lane closures between County 3 and Hwy. 33 in Cloquet

Hwy. 52: Between Northfield Boulevard (near Hampton) and 190th Street, the road is reduced to one lane. The Star Tribune notes this created a backup last Sunday evening

Otter Tail County: Freeway reduced to a single lane in each direction. That includes County Road 35 to Minnesota Hwy. 79 west of Evansville.  A bridge project will have traffic sharing one side of the freeway from exit 50 to County Road 67.

You can check 511mn.org for the latest road construction and closure information.

Hopefully, people will be on the alert and not add to the slowdowns.

Also keep in mind that work zones come with double fines.

Other safety tips include:

• Stay alert, expect the unexpected.
• Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
• Anticipate lane shifts – merge when directed to do so.
• Don’t change lanes unnecessarily.
• Don’t speed in work zones; obey the posted speed limits.
• Avoid using mobile phones while driving in work zones.
• Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
• Be patient!