Minnesota Road Work To Challenge Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Travel
I think that everyone has heard of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally that happens every year in the small town of Sturgis, South Dakota.
While people may think it's just a massive biker rally, the reality is that it's a lot more. Statistics show that the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is a regional celebration that draws over 500,000 people on average to Sturgis.
The event makes the town the fourth-largest city in the state and it has now grown to be an event that features stunt shows, charity rides, live concerts and entertainment, a wide variety of vendors and concessions, and numerous spectator competitions (drag racing, ATV racing, etc.)
This year, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally runs from Thursday, August 1 through Sunday, August 11, and while people will be traveling from all over the country to be there, those traveling through Minnesota should prepare for slowed travel and detours.
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Travelers Will Encounter Road Construction In Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Transportation recently prepared attendees traveling from or through Minnesota with what those traveling on I-35 and across I-90 to and from Sturgis can expect to encounter.
Here are the projects impacting travel on I-90 projects east to west and I-35 north to south:
- I-35 resurfacing at Faribault: Single-lane, two-way traffic in the northbound lanes from Rice County Road 48 to Highway 21, watch for ramp closures. Significant traffic backups may occur from mid-morning through late afternoon during commuting times and weekends.
- I-90/Highway 52 interchange reconstruction south of Rochester: Single-lane traffic in each direction 2 miles east and west of the Highway 52 interchange. Off-ramps to Highway 52 South are detoured.
- Olmsted County Road 35 bridge over I-90 northwest of Stewartville: Short work zone of single-lane traffic.
- I-90 bridge reconstruction in Austin: Single-lane, two-way traffic in the westbound lanes within Austin. Watch for ramp closures throughout Austin.
- I-90 westbound resurfacing in Albert Lea: Single-lane, two-way traffic in the eastbound lanes between Albert Lea to Alden. Westbound ramp closures.
- I-90 resurfacing from Blue Earth to Highway 22 south of Wells: Single-lane, two-way traffic in westbound lanes; watch for ramp closures at Faribault County Roads 17 & 23. The eastbound & westbound rest areas located just west of Blue Earth are closed.
More information on these projects can always be found by visiting MnDOT's 511mn.org. There you'll find road conditions maps, project websites, and other information.
Make Traveling Safely A Priority
MnDOT urges motorists to make safety a priority by being attentive, driving cautiously, slowing down in work zones, and never entering a road blocked with barriers or cones.
They also offer these additional tips:
- Obey posted speed limits. The fine for speeding in a work zone is $300.
- Drive undistracted. Avoid using phones and mobile devices, adjusting the radio, and even eating while in work zones.
- Move over. Give workers room to safely complete their work.
- Be patient. Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
- Avoid making unnecessary lane changes.
- Expect work zones to constantly change. Day to day you could experience lane shifts, closures, narrower lanes, and moving workers and vehicles.
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