Regional Information
Click on your region below for more information. Or use this City Listing to find your Mn/DOT district.
Hwy 53 Virginia to Cook, updated project layouts quick link
Winter driving tips
MnDOT is prepared for winter plowing and road maintenance and will do all that is possible to keep roadways clear and safe for motorists. Motorists are reminded to do their part too by driving responsibly for winter road conditions. Driving too fast or inattentively is the cause of many spin-outs and crashes—especially during the first winter snow storms.
Safety tips:
- Be patient and remember snowplows are working to improve road conditions for your trip.
- Stay back at least five car lengths behind the plow, far from the snow cloud. Snowplow operators will pull over when it is safe to do so to allow traffic build-up to pass.
- Stay alert for snowplows that turn or exit frequently and often with little warning. They may also travel over centerlines or partially in traffic to further improve road conditions.
- Slow down to a safe speed for current conditions, and give yourself plenty of travel time. Snowplows typically move at slower speeds.
- Buckle up and ensure children are properly secured in the correct child restraint.
- Avoid unnecessary travel if road conditions are poor.
District 1 — Northeast Minnesota
About District 1
District 1 serves Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Pine, and St. Louis counties. These eight counties in northeastern Minnesota comprise as District 1 of MnDOT.
District 1 represents one-fourth of the state’s total land area and has more than 1,600 miles of state highway. Our major industries rely heavily on a safe and efficient transportation system.
Services
The MnDOT team in District 1 plans, designs, constructs and maintains the state and federal highway systems within district boundaries. We also manage the aid and assistance given to county and city systems that qualify for state and federal dollars. District 1 provides transit, trail and rail transportation services as well.
District 1 map showing tentatively scheduled construction projects for the next three years. Project scheduling is subject to change due to funding or other factors.
Click on icon for a larger version. Zoom to enlarge.
District 1’s top priority is to preserve the existing transportation system. Our construction program emphasizes pavement replacement, drainage improvements, intersection upgrades, and bridge rehabilitation and replacement. In order to attain our priority, nearly all of the state road construction funds allocated to District 1 for the next 10 years will be directed to these preservation projects.
If you are interested in public involvement with our transportation projects, please go to District 1’s Area Transportation Partnership page for more information.
TRAVEL ADVISORY
Hwy 210 from the eastern edge of the Jay Cooke State Park Campground to Fond du Lac is the only highway that remains closed due to June 19/20 flood damage.
Help reduce congestion by using the "Zipper Merge"
When a lane is closed in a construction zone, motorists should use both lanes of traffic until reaching the defined merge area and then alternate in "zipper" fashion into the open lane. Watch a brief video showing how the zipper merge works.
Zipper Merge benefits
- Reduces speed differences between lanes
- Reduces the length of traffic backups (by as much as 40 percent)
- Reduces congestion on freeway interchanges
- Creates a sense of fairness and equity when all lanes are moving at the same rate
Click here to learn more about Zipper Merging.
D1 Links
Quick Links
Statewide and District Investment Plans