Fourth of July travelers advised of road construction zones

Talk about it

As the 2010 construction season heats up and the July 4 holiday weekend is here, motorists will need to be aware of highway construction work zones around the state, including:

--St. Paul – Interstate 94 between Highway 280 and Western Avenue

--Richfield, Minneapolis – I-35W and Highway 62 Crosstown Commons

--Woodbury, Maplewood and Oakdale – I-494/I-694 between Highway 36 and Lake Road

--Rogers, Maple Grove – I-94 and Highway 101 between the Fish Lake interchange and Crow River

--Duluth – I-35 between Boundary Avenue and 26th Avenue East

--Princeton – Highway 95 near Mille Lacs County Road 29/Highway 95 intersection

--Central Minnesota – Highway 25 through Pierz

--Bemidji – Highway 197 and Highway 71 south of Bemidji

--Southeast Minnesota – I-90 between Highway 43 and Highway 74 in Winona County

--Southwest Minnesota – Highway 23 between Marshall and Russell

The top 10 list is based on traffic volume, amount of work and level of delay. For more details and to view a complete list of the state highway work zones, visit http://www.dot.state.mn.us/newsrels/10/06/28-wzlinked.html.

"As is the case every year, there will be work zones scattered around the state this summer and into the fall, including some affecting the state’s busiest highways and interstates,” said Sue Mulvihill, director of the department’s District Operations Division. “Mn/DOT urges motorists to plan their trips accordingly using the 511 travel information service and drive with caution in work zones."

Although most work zones will not be active during the July 4 holiday weekend, it may be necessary for some lane closures to remain in place.

“While there won’t be much construction activity during the July 4 holiday, drivers should still watch for equipment, traffic changes and any highway workers who may be present in the work zones,” Mulvihill said. “We appreciate the understanding of the driving public during this challenging time, but it is important to remember that these temporary roadblocks will significantly improve the quality of the state highway system.”

Holiday travel traditionally leads to more traffic on highways across the state, which in turn can lead to an increase in crashes and traffic fatalities. Minnesota’s Toward Zero Deaths initiative, part of a multi-agency partnership, uses the “four E’s” – enforcement, education, engineering and emergency management services – to improve safety and reduce fatalities and serious injuries.

“This year, TZD’s goal is to reduce the number of traffic fatalities on Minnesota roads to fewer than 400,” said Sue Groth, Mn/DOT state traffic engineer and TZD co-chair. “Since 2003, the initiative has achieved a 36 percent reduction in fatalities (from 655 to 421). We encourage motorists to buckle up and drive safely this holiday weekend.”

For the duration of the July 4th weekend and the remainder of the construction season, Mn/DOT urges drivers to:

--Follow posted speed limits; fines double in work zones when workers are present.

--Avoid using cell phones while driving.

--Allow extra space between vehicles.

For real-time traveler information anywhere in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org, call 5-1-1 or visit www.mndot.gov.

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