News Release

Plan ahead for your trip to ensure smooth sailing during Minnesota's 2002 Fishing Opener

(Roseville, Minn.) - Anglers traveling to their favorite fishing spots in Minnesota for the 2002 fishing opener this weekend may encounter some road construction leaving the Twin Cities Metro area. But if they plan ahead and allow plenty of time for their trip, they should experience smooth sailing throughout the state. The following construction projects will impact travelers this weekend:

Highway 7 at St. Bonifacius: Highway 7 is closed and detoured from east of
St. Bonifacius to Highway 41 in Shorewood. Traffic is detoured on Highway 25, Highway 5 and Highway 41 around the construction area.

Interstate 35W between Roseville and Blaine: Resurfacing of the northbound lanes of the interstate is complete. Work continues on southbound I-35W and may continue into Sunday evening with traffic reduced to a single lane.

Interstate 94 from Maple Grove to Rogers: Permanent lane closures will be in effect throughout the weekend on I-94 northwest of Weaver Lake Road in Maple Grove. Motorists will also encounter a lane closure on the westbound interstate to Rogers. Anglers heading home on Sunday will find all traffic restrictions on the eastbound roadway lifted except at the bridge reconstruction site near Weaver Lake Road.

Highway 169 in Anoka: Highway 169 is closed and detoured from Main Street to Highway 10 in Anoka. Additionally, traffic also is restricted to a single lane in each direction from the Mississippi River/Champlin bridge to Main Street. Alternate routes to cross the Mississippi River include the Highway 610 bridge between Brooklyn Park and Coon Rapids along with the Highway 101 bridge near Elk River.

Highway 610 over the Mississippi River: Construction continues on the Highway 610 bridge crossing the Mississippi River between Brooklyn Park and Coon Rapids. The bridge remains open with two lanes of traffic in each direction. However, travelers should be aware that work on Highway 169 in Anoka has caused an increase in traffic on both Highway 610 and Highway 10.

For more information: Statewide-recorded road construction information is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 651/284-0511 or toll free 1-800-542-0220. Motorists with wireless phone service may also access listings by calling Mn/DOT's new traveler information line 5-1-1 from most wireless telephone systems.

Statewide road construction and other transportation information can also be accessed through Mn/DOT's web site at: www.dot.state.mn.us.

To talk with a person about road construction anywhere in the state, you may call the Mn/DOT Information Center in St. Paul at 651/296-3000 or toll free 1-800-657-3774. Hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Minnesota Relay Service (MRS) is available at 1-800-627-3529.

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Contact:
Kent Barnard
(651) 582-1364
(612) 640-4142 pager

Metro Division
1500 County Road B2 West
Roseville, MN 55113
Office Tel: 612/582-1000