Interstate 35 southbound construction in Steele County begins July 10

OWATONNA, Minn. – Motorists will encounter lane closures on Interstate 35 in Steele County south of Owatonna starting on July 10 when crews are scheduled to begin construction for highway resurfacing, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Approximately 8.8 miles of southbound I-35 from north of Highway 30 (Exit 26, Ellendale) to south of Steele County Road 31 (near Straight River Rest Area) will undergo resurfacing construction. Removing and repaving the surface will extend the life of the highway and provide motorists a smoother ride.

A Weigh-in-Motion System (WIM) and Road Weather Information System (RWIS) will also be installed in one area of I-35 during construction.

Traffic Impacts

Motorists should expect traffic slowdowns and possible delays in the work zone during key travel times, especially weekends because of the traffic volumes on I-35. Plan ahead by adjusting travel times or seeking an alternate route.
Southbound I-35 traffic reduced to single lane throughout most of construction period
Northbound I-35 traffic reduced to single lane for some of construction period

A construction map and more project details can be found at the project website .

Safety
Motorists may encounter lane closures or lane shifts, uneven road surfaces, equipment and other unexpected obstacles when driving near or through work zones. MnDOT advises motorists to:

Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
Go hands-free and minimize other distractions (e.g., don’t eat or drink while driving).
Follow posted speed limits; the fine for speeding in a work zone is $300.
Avoid making lane changes within work zones.

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