New Road Projects To Cause Travel Delays In 12 Minnesota Counties

When driving around Minnesota into the summer months, allowing extra travel time to reach your destination is almost a given due to countless road construction projects that are underway throughout the state.

The key, and also the challenge, is to be patient and take it all in stride because we have no control over where and when these projects will be taking place. However, one way to make things more manageable is to be aware of them so travel plans can be adjusted accordingly.

Recently, the Minnesota Department of Transportation warned motorists to expect delays and allow extra travel time as district-wide safety projects get underway in a portion of the state, encompassing 12 counties. The cost of the project is $2,223,684 and it is expected to last 25 business days.

Districtwide Safety Enhancement Projects To Impact Southwest Minnesota

On June 3, the Minnesota Department of Transportation will begin safety enhancements to include a combination of refurbished and new intersection signing and pavement markings, centerline rumble strips, and reflective striping.

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Centerline Rumble Strips & Reflective Striping

Part of the project involves crews installing new centerline rumble strips and reflective striping along the following state highways:

• Starting June 3: Highway 212 from Olivia to the west of Hector (east working west)
• Starting June 8: Highway 71 from Blomkest to Hwy 212 west of Olivia (north working south)
• Starting June 15: Highway 212 from Danube to Renville (east working west)
• Starting June 18: Highway 23 from Clara City to the east of Granite Falls (north working south)
• Starting June 26: Highway 212 from east of Highway 23 to Granite Falls city limits (east working west)

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Motorists in these areas will be directed through the work zone by flaggers and a pilot car. Plan on delays and allow extra travel time.

Intersection Signing & Pavement Markings

Another part of this district-wide project involves crews installing or refurbishing stop bars and pavement markings at 60 locations throughout all twelve counties of the district:

• Chippewa
• Kandiyohi
• Lac qui Parle
• Lincoln
• Lyon
• McLeod
• Meeker
• Murray
• Pipestone
• Redwood
• Renville
• Yellow Medicine

MnDOT notes that stop bars are 24-inch-wide, solid white lines that extend across all lanes in one direction to indicate where to stop. They provide drivers with an additional visual reminder to stop before entering or crossing traffic at an intersection.

While this work is being done, drivers may encounter temporary shoulder and lane closures with flagging operations, and equipment entering and exiting the roadway. Drivers are urged to drive with caution and slow down in project areas.

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Once these safety projects are complete, there will be enhanced safety throughout the area as rumble strips and pavement markings communicate to drivers where to position their vehicles and warn about upcoming conditions. Also, MnDOT says the new pavement markings will be more visible to drivers.

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