More Minnesota Highway Construction Issues This Weekend

This past week, I’ve spent a lot time in start and stop traffic on I-94 North, I-94 in St Paul, along Highway 10 near St Cloud and assorted county roads in Southern Minnesota. The lane shutdowns along I-94 have been doubling the trip time to and from St Cloud and the Twin Cites. Hopefully, the time will be worth it come fall and winter. The unfortunate sight, is to see the number of collisions that slow things down even before the construction zone.

Apparently, there were a number of them today. There are cones, big signs, electric notices and state workers out there in orange vests. But still, people drive to fast and continue to not pay attention as they call and suffer from, as my fellow writer from Oklahoma Noble McIntyre describes, driving inTEXTicated .

This weekend there will be major shutdowns in St Paul along 94. From the Minneapolis Tribune:

The eastbound lanes and entrance and exit ramps between Hwy. 280 and Interstate 35E in St. Paul will close at 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday while crews continue to resurface I-94. Motorists will be directed northbound on Hwy. 280 to eastbound Hwy. 36 and southbound I-35E to bypass the closure.

Motorists also likely will encounter additional congestion as they head east on I-94 from Marion Street in St. Paul to the St. Croix River from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday while crews inspect and repair bridge decks over the highway

Along Highway 10 there will also be changes according to the St Cloud Times:

Beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday, traffic on U.S. Highway 10 from Sherburne County Road 7 to just north of 15th Avenue in St. Cloud will be moved to the new eastbound concrete lanes.

This switch will allow crews to begin work on the westbound lanes.

Two-way, two-lane traffic in that part of the project is expected to continue for about three weeks.

Hopefully, people will be on the alert and not add to the slowdowns.

Also keep in mind that work zones come with double fines.

Other safety tips include:

• Stay alert, expect the unexpected.
• Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
• Anticipate lane shifts – merge when directed to do so.
• Don’t change lanes unnecessarily.
• Don’t speed in work zones; obey the posted speed limits.
• Avoid using mobile phones while driving in work zones.
• Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
• Be patient!