Nighttime state highway, bridge cleaning work starts May 3 in Rochester
ROCHESTER, Minn. –Motorists on state highways in Rochester should be alert for overnight lane closures beginning Sunday night, May 3 as MnDOT maintenance crews clean highways and bridges, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Work will take place from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. May 3 through May 7 and again from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. May 10 through May 14.
During that work, crews use fresh water in high pressure pumps to spray down traffic ramps and bridges. Vehicles will be sweeping up sand, debris and other material that accumulated during winter. This work also prepares for bridge maintenance crews to flush out drains and bridge joints beginning May 17.
Motorists can expect brief traffic delays with lane closures. Flaggers will stop and direct traffic in some of the areas and there will be short-term ramp closures.
Safety in work zones
Motorists should always be prepared to encounter traffic changes when approaching work zones including lane closures, lane shifts, uneven road surfaces, slow-moving heavy equipment and slow or stopped traffic. To keep everyone safe, drivers must:
- Obey posted speed limits. The fine for speeding in a work zone is $300.
- Drive undistracted. Avoid using cell phones, mobile devices, adjusting the radio – even eating –while in work zones.
- Move over. Give workers room to safely complete their work.
- Know before you go. Get real-time information about traffic and road conditions at www.511mn.org or get the free 511mn smartphone app at Google Play or the App Store.
- Be patient. Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
- Do the zipper merge.
- Avoid making unnecessary lane changes.
- Never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones.
Stay connected, informed
- Check out other MnDOT southeast Minnesota construction projects and sign up for project updates.
- Join the MnDOT Southeast Minnesota Facebook group and follow us at MnDOT Southeast on X.
- Sign up to receive text message and/or email alerts during significant road closures or winter weather events that affect state highways in southeast Minnesota.
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