Contacts
- Kristine Hernandez
TZD Coordinator/ Public Affairs Team Leader
507-286-7601 - Jessica Wiens
Public Affairs Coordinator
507-286-7602 - Kristin Kammueller
Community Relations Coordinator
507-286-7684
Location
Minnesota Department of
Transportation
Rochester District 6
2900 48th Street
Rochester, MN 55901
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MnDOT continues clean-up after big snowfall
Motorists should slow down, give plows room to work
ST. PAUL, Minn. – MnDOT continues to clean up after Mother Nature deposited as much as 26 inches of snow throughout southern Minnesota and up to 19 inches in the Twin Cities metro area last weekend, closing a number of highways and creating hazardous driving in some areas.
“We encourage motorists to check roads conditions at 511mn.org, be patient, and give plows and trucks room to make roads safer for travel.” said Steve Lund, state maintenance engineer. In addition, motorists should:
- 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 – Snowplows 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 – Snowplows typically move at slower speeds.
MnDOT is clearing snow from roads throughout the southern half of Minnesota, focusing especially on shoulders, ramps and bridges where compacted snow is making surfaces dangerous and slippery. Chemicals for de-icing do not work well in the cold temperatures that Minnesota is experiencing.
In the metro, the majority of metro area roads remain in difficult driving condition, despite crews working around the clock since Friday evening.
In southeastern Minnesota, crews are focusing on cleaning-up roads, especially ramps and bridges in the eastern part of the area. Motorists are encouraged to drive slowly as there is still compacted snow on roads, conditions which will continue until temperatures warm up and chemicals start to work again.
Interstate 90, which closed early Saturday, Dec. 11, and reopened early Sunday Dec. 12, is still proving to be difficult to drive. In the Mankato area, some roads are in fair conditions, but many remain in hazardous conditions with up to 1 inch of ice on surfaces. Crews continue to sand to give motorists some traction.
The Willmar and Marshall areas are experiencing good driving conditions with some compacted snow and scattered slippery spots. Near Hutchinson, roads are in good driving condition with the exception of some highways that have icy patches.
In northern Minnesota, which saw no snow, but frigid temperatures, roads are in fairly good shape with some scattered slippery spots due to compaction and frost.
The National Weather Service forecasts continued cold temperatures and more snow Wednesday evening.
For real-time traveler information anywhere in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org, call 5-1-1 or visit www.mndot.gov.
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STAY BACK IS FOR WINTER
