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395 John Ireland Blvd.
Mail Stop 150
St. Paul, MN 55155-1899
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Mn/DOT kicks off 2009 construction season
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation today unveiled its 2009 construction program of 223 state highway and bridge projects with a combined construction cost of $1.4 billion.
“Over the last six years we’ve moved forward with more highway construction than in any other comparable period in Minnesota’s history,” Governor Tim Pawlenty said. “People sometimes say Minnesota has two seasons – winter and road construction. This past winter was pretty intense and this upcoming construction season will be, too. Our aim is to move people and goods faster, better and safer throughout Minnesota.”
Some of the 51 projects in the Twin Cities
- Continuing the massive Interstate 35W/Highway 62 Crosstown Commons project in Minneapolis and Richfield (construction cost: $287 million)
- Constructing the congestion-relieving Urban Partnership Agreement projects on I-35W south of Minneapolis (construction cost: $60 million)
- Building the Highway 169 "Triangle" interchange at County Road 81 and 85th Avenue in Brooklyn Park and Osseo (construction cost: $49 million)
- Constructing a new interchange on Highway 7 at Wooddale Avenue in St. Louis Park (construction cost: $17 million)
- Replacing the Larpenteur Avenue bridge at Highway 280 in Lauderdale (construction cost: $13 million)
Projects in northern and central Minnesota
- Rebuilding the Highway 23 Desoto Bridge in St. Cloud (construction cost: $19.2 million)
- Reconstructing Highway 61 north of Tofte (construction cost: $11.9 million)
- Resurfacing Highway 1 between Warren and Thief River falls (construction cost: $8.6 million)
- Reinforcing a portion of Highway 169 near Chisholm where abandoned underground mines have weakened the roadbed (construction cost: $7.7 million)
- Resurfacing Highway 10 between Wadena and Motley (construction cost: $6.8 million)
Projects in southern Minnesota
- Realigning and expanding Highway 14 south of Owatonna and building a new I-35/Highway 14 interchange (construction cost: $51.8 million)
- Replacing bridges on I-90 in Mower County (construction cost: $13.5 million)
- Reconstructing Highway 169 through downtown St. Peter (construction cost: $13.1 million)
- Replacing bridges on I-90 in Winona County (construction cost: $4.4 million)
- Repairing pavement on I-90 in Faribault County (construction cost: $3.9 million)
- Resurfacing Highway 60 in Goodhue County (construction cost: $3.3 million)
Of the 172 Greater Minnesota projects, 63 are funded with federal stimulus dollars and were previously announced by Governor Pawlenty and Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel in February.
“Mn/DOT is committed to mobilizing our workers, our contractors and our partners to ensure that Minnesota's transportation dollars are spent efficiently and effectively,” said Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel. “In addition to road and bridge projects, we will increase maintenance on state roads to improve existing highway infrastructure.”
For a complete list of projects, including construction dates and traffic impacts, visit the Web site at www.mndot.gov. For information on transportation and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, visit www.dot.state.mn.us/federalrecovery.
Sorel said that while the prospects of infrastructure improvements and job creation are exciting, the driving public should be cautious on the roadways during this busy time.
"We ask motorists to pay attention and follow the posted speeds, as work zones will be a common sight on our highways this season,” said Sorel.
During construction and road maintenance project work, Mn/DOT and the Minnesota State Patrol urge drivers to:
- Stay alert
- Watch for signs, equipment and workers
- Minimize distractions such as using cell phones, eating or drinking
- Avoid tailgating
- Follow posted speed limits; fines double in work zones
- Stay in one lane while driving through a work zone
As construction season progresses, call 511 or log on to www.511mn.org for the latest statewide road and traffic conditions.
