MINNEAPOLIS — Can you hear that? It's the bittersweet sound signaling summer's triumphant return: road construction.
With the change in seasons comes the announcement from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), explaining what's in store for the 2024 road construction season.
In releasing a comprehensive list of projects, MnDOT officials hope to help travelers plan ahead as activity starts to ramp up statewide.
“Drivers throughout Minnesota can expect to see more work zones, more orange cones, more closed lanes, and more people working along the road wearing their high-visibility gear,” said Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger in a statement. “We need everyone on the road to work together to keep our crews, and yourselves, safe in work zones."
Below is a list of the most significant projects Minnesotans can expect this year. Follow the links to MnDOT's website for more information about each respective plan.
TWIN CITIES METRO
- Bridge repairs on Interstate 494 between Edina and Richfield
- Pavement improvements on Interstate 94 between Oakdale and Lakeland
- Pavement improvements on Highway 36 between Roseville and Little Canada
- Repairs on Minneapolis' Stone Arch Bridge
NORTH
- Repairs on I-35 between the Twin Cities and Duluth, including the Atkinson Bridge and pavement resurfacing near Hinckley
- Repairs to I-35 in Duluth
- Highway 220 reconstruction north of East Grand Forks to improve drainage and driving surfaces
- Resurfacing of the Highway 25 bridge in Monticello, including updates to drainage and sidewalks
- Improvements and updates to the 11th Street underpass in Moorhead
- Construction of two new roundabouts on Highways 59 and 108 in Pelican Rapids
SOUTH
- Repairs to I-35 in Faribault, including ramp, bridge and pavement improvements
- Improvements to the I-90/Highway 52 interchange southeast of Rochester, including bridge replacements and new ramp construction over Highway 52
State officials said there are nearly 200 planned projects across Minnesota this year, plus others to improve more infrastructure in airports, water ports, railroad crossings and transit. That's why MnDOT also wants to remind drivers of some safety tips for navigating around construction work zones.
- Obey posted speed limits.
The fine for speeding in a work zone is $300. - Drive undistracted.
Avoid using cell phones, mobile devices, adjusting the radio – even eating –while in work zones. - Move over.
Give workers room to safely complete their work. - Know before you go.
Get real-time information about traffic and road conditions at www.511mn.org or get the free 511mn smartphone app at Google Play or the App Store. - Be patient.
Expect delays, especially during peak travel times. - Do the zipper merge.
- Avoid making unnecessary lane changes.
- Never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones.
To see a full list of what's coming down the road this summer in Minnesota, visit MnDOT's website and follow the agency on social media for updates.
WATCH MORE ON KARE 11+
Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11's newscasts. You'll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
- Add KARE 11+ on Roku here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Roku Channel Store.
- Add KARE 11+ on Fire TV here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Amazon App Store.
- Learn more about the KARE 11+ app for Apple TV in the Apple App Store.
- Learn more about KARE 11+ here.
Watch more local news:
Watch the latest local news from the Twin Cities and across Minnesota in our YouTube playlist: