MnDOT announces state hwy and I-90 closures in southcentral and southwest Minnesota; closures will remain overnight

Blowing and drifting snow with reduced visibility creating hazardous travel conditions

MANKATO, Minn. – (5:00 p.m.) The Minnesota Department of Transportation is closing all state hwys and Interstate 90 in Rock, Nobles and Cottonwood counties, along with portions of Jackson and Watonwan counties in southcentral and the southwest corner of Minnesota. Strong winds are creating blowing and drifting snow, significantly reducing visibility.

The state hwy closures include:

Rock County
Nobles County
Cottonwood County
Portions of state highways in Watonwan County. Highway 60 west of St. James is closed; Hwy 60 east of St. James is open
Portions of state hwys in Jackson County
I-90 from the South Dakota border to Jackson is closed; I-90 east of Jackson is open

The road closures are expected to remain overnight and until conditions improve on Friday. MnDOT reminds motorists that it is illegal to travel on a closed road and if a motorist requires rescuing, they are liable for all related rescue costs.

Additional road closures or travel advisories are possible as conditions are expected to further deteriorate overnight.

MnDOT District 7, serving the Mankato and Windom areas, is not staffed for 24-hour coverage. Crews in southcentral and southwest Minnesota are expected to be out late tonight and will resume operations early Friday morning.

Sign up for Travel Alerts

Motorists can sign up for email or text travel alerts for state highways at mndot.gov/d7 by clicking “Email and text updates” under the “Connect with us” heading. Choose to receive messages via email or text message. Then, choose the “South Central MN” under the “Travel Alerts” category.

Stay connected, informed

For additional tips on safe winter driving, go to mndot.gov/workzone/winter.html.

###