Minnesota Department of Transportation News Release Date: Jan. 8, 2015 @5pm Contact: Rebecca Arndt 507-304-6106 To be released: Immediately MnDOT highways in SW Minnesota remain closed due to ground blizzard Highway 60 closure extends from Worthington to Mankato MANKATO, Minn. – (4:30 p.m.) MnDOT reminds motorists that no travel is advised in south central and southwestern Minnesota tonight. State highways in the following counties closed around 3 p.m. today and remain closed until further notice (likely through the night). In addition, Highway 60 is closing at Mankato, which officially closes Highway 60 from Worthington to Mankato. • Blue Earth (Highway 60 is only highway closure in Blue Earth Co.) • Brown • Cottonwood • Jackson • Martin • Nobles (Highway 60 is only highway closure in Nobles Co.) • Watonwan Interstate 90 remains open at this time, however, motorists may encounter brief lane and road closures where crashes occur, according to the Mankato office of the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Additional highways may be closed due to blizzard conditions making travel hazardous. MnDOT officials may be forced to pull the plows off the highways at dark due to the poor visibility and safety concerns. Wind gusts over 40 mph after dark combined with the recent snow will create hazardous conditions. Motorists and snowplow operators are currently experiencing extremely difficult conditions with zero visibility at times. Motorists are advised to: • Check road conditions at 511mn.org or call 511; it takes time to get roads back to good driving conditions. • Be patient and remember snowplows are working to improve road conditions for your trip. • When a road is closed it is illegal to travel in that area. Motorists can be fined up to $1,000 and/or sentenced to 90 days in jail. In addition, if travelers need to be rescued from a closed road, other expenses and penalties will apply. For additional tips on safe winter driving, go to mndot.gov/workzone. For updated information on road conditions, visit 511mn.org or call 511.
Posted on: Thu, 08 Jan 2015 23:00:39 +0000