Construction on eastbound Interstate 90 east of Blue Earth nearly complete

MANKATO, Minn. – Construction on eastbound Interstate 90 east of Blue Earth is nearly complete, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The entrance ramp at Faribault County Road 23 and the exit ramp at Highway 22 south of Wells is expected to open to traffic on Monday, October 7. Head-to-head traffic restrictions will also be removed.

Motorists should watch for intermittent lane closures on both eastbound and westbound I-90 from Blue Earth to Highway 22 south of Wells as finishing work continues.

Additionally, the eastbound and westbound I-90 rest areas located just west of Blue Earth remain closed until mid-October for replacement of pavement in the parking areas.

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 were reestablished in their same locations across both the eastbound and westbound lanes of I-90.

The 2023-2024 project included 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 were improved, as well as ramps, bridges, culverts, and lighting along the project.

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 is the prime contractor on the $90,100,000.00 project.

Visit the I-90 project website for more information and to sign up for email and text message updates.

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