News Release

(Roseville, Minn.)—The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) will begin work Tuesday, May 27, 2003 on Highway 62 (Crosstown) between I-35W in MINNEAPOLIS and France Ave. in EDINA.

Eastbound and westbound Highway 62 between those two points will be reduced to a SINGLE LANE through July 7 as crews rebuild the median barrier and guardrail, strip and paint the bridges, repair storm sewers and make repairs to the fences along the right of way.

The lane closures are expected to cause major delays on this roadway. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes between May 27 and July 7. All of the work associated with this project, including resurfacing, is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 2, 2003.

Median Rebuilding/Guardrail Repair

A primary reason for the lane closures between May 27 and July 7 is to allow crews to remove and rebuild the median barrier, a solid concrete structure between I-35W and York Ave., and the center guardrail, from York Ave. to France Ave.

Bridge Painting

The Penn Ave. Bridge, the Xerxes Ave. Bridge, the France Ave. Bridge and the pedestrian bridge spanning Highway 62 will be re-painted during the lane closures. The Highway 100 Bridge, west of France Ave., also will be repainted toward the end of the project term, likely in mid-July. A full lane and ramp closure schedule and detour route associated with painting the Highway 100 Bridge will be issued one week prior to their closures.

Resurfacing

Crews also will resurface eastbound and westbound Highway 62, as well as adjacent loops and/or ramps, between I-35W and France Ave. toward mid-July. Doing so will result in the COMPLETE CLOSURE of eastbound Highway 62 for one weekend in July and the COMPLETE CLOSURE of westbound Highway 62 on the following July weekend. A full closure schedule and detour route will be issued one week prior to the weekend closures.

Mn/DOT urges motorists always to drive with caution and reminds them to SLOW DOWN in the work zone and NEVER enter a roadway that has been blocked with barriers or cones. Please join us in a safety partnership. For updated traffic and travel information in the Twin Cities metro area and statewide visit www.511mn.org.