MnDot Announces Big Construction Projects For 2017

TWIN CITIES, MN — Minnesota Transportation Commissioner Charlie Zelle Thursday announced $1 billion in state road and bridge projects that will be worked on statewide this year. The 211 projects, many of which are already underway, will help keep the state’s roads and bridges in good working condition, improve safety for motorists and support thousands of construction jobs across the state, Zelle said.

Zelle also announced 57 multimodal projects valued at $47 million. These include airport, port and railroad projects that are outside of the state road construction program.

2017 road and bridge construction season

Among the highlights of this year’s construction season is the anticipated completion of the St. Croix River Crossing between Stillwater, Minnesota and St. Joseph, Wisconsin, and the relocation of Highway 53 in Virginia, Minn., that includes the construction of what will be the tallest bridge in Minnesota.

Big projects in the Twin Cities metro area this year include:

• I-94, Minneapolis to Brooklyn Center
• I-94, St. Paul to Maplewood
• I-35W/Lake Street in Minneapolis
• Hwy 169
• I-694 in Arden Hills, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights and Little Canada

For a complete list of projects, including construction dates and traffic impacts, visit the MnDOT website.

Watch for orange cones

Because of the number of work zones motorists will encounter as crews perform road construction and maintenance work this construction season, MnDOT asks drivers to be alert on the road this summer. MnDOT urges motorists to:

• Minimize distractions (e.g., don't use cell phones or eat or drink while driving)
• Follow posted speed limits; fine double in work zones
• Expect delays, especially during peak travel times

Image via Google Streetview