Construction on westbound I-90 east of Blue Earth wraps up for 2023

MANKATO, Minn. – Construction on westbound Interstate 90 east of Blue Earth is nearing completion for 2023, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The entrance ramp at Faribault County Road 23 is expected to open to traffic tonight, Oct. 27, and head-to-head traffic restrictions will be removed.

Motorists are reminded that construction on I-90 east of Blue Earth is a two-year project. The westbound lanes were under construction in 2023, and the eastbound lanes will be under construction next year. Pavement at the eastbound and westbound I-90 rest areas west of Blue Earth will be improved as part of the 2024 project.

The 2023-2024 project includes resurfacing approximately 20 miles of I-90 from Highway 169 near Blue Earth to Highway 22 south of Wells. Both eastbound and westbound I-90 will be improved, as well as ramps, bridges, culverts, and lighting along the project.

To commemorate the completion of I-90 in 1978, concrete panels near Blue Earth were tinted gold, reminiscent of the ‘Golden Spike’ that symbolized completion of the nation’s first transcontinental railroad in 1869. In 2006, when I-90 needed repaving, most of the golden panels were paved over. As part of the 2023-2024 construction project, the golden panels will be reestablished in their same locations across both the eastbound and westbound lanes of I-90.

Benefits of the project include improved pavement, bridges, drainage, and lighting. Other benefits include improved sidewalks at the Blue Earth Rest Areas to comply with the Americans with Disability Act. PCiRoads was awarded the design-build project with a bid of $80,192,151.70.
Visit the I-90 project website for more information and to sign up for email and text message updates.

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