UPDATE: ‘No travel advisory’ lifted as crews continue clearing roads

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - The Minnesota Department of Transportation will lift the no travel advisory at 1 p.m. today, March 16, from all state highways and Interstate 90 in South Central Minnesota. Area highways were under a no travel advisory due to blowing snow and icy conditions.

Drivers should use caution when traveling as many roads remain fully or partially covered with ice, and visibility is reduced, particularly in open areas without windbreaks. MnDot says drivers are advised to reduce speed and drive according to conditions.

MnDOT South Central has 83 snowplows and other heavy equipment that are working to remove ice and compaction from roadways and push back snowdrifts.

Motorists should:

• Check www.511mn.org or get the free smartphone app at Google Play or the App Store for road condition information, travel alerts
• Don’t drive distracted.
• Slow down to a safe speed for current conditions.
• Stay alert for snowplows, which travel slower, turn often or exit frequently. Snowplows may travel over centerlines or partially into traffic to clear roads and improve conditions.
• Stay back at least 10 car lengths behind the plow. Don’t drive into a snow cloud.
• Turn headlights on.
• Turn off cruise control.
• Wear your seat belt.
• Be patient and remember snowplows are working to improve road conditions for your trip.

For updated road condition information visit www.511mn.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation will reopen state highways and Interstate 90 in South Central Minnesota at 10:00 a.m. today. These highways will remain under a no travel advisory after they reopen to traffic.

If motorists need to travel, MnDOT urges drivers to use caution as roads are completely or partially covered with ice. Strong winds are expected to continue today causing blowing and drifting snow, icy and compacted roads, and difficult driving conditions. Motorists are advised to reduce speeds and drive according to conditions.

Roads open at 10:00 a.m.; remain under a no travel advisory:

• All state highways in Nobles, Jackson, Cottonwood, Watonwan, Martin, and Faribault counties
• I-90 from Albert Lea to Worthington
• Highway 60 from Iowa to Mankato
• Highway 15 from Iowa to Highway 19

No travel advisory removed from the following counties at 10:00 a.m.:

• Le Sueur, Nicollet, Rock, Sibley, Waseca

No travel advisory remains:

A no travel advisory remains for many state highways and I-90 in the following counties:

• Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Nobles, Watonwan.

No travel advised means that the roadway has deteriorated and/or visibility has been reduced to the point that it is very dangerous to travel; there are reports of whiteout conditions; and some weather conditions can be severe enough that road treatments are not effective, and conditions can become life-threatening for stranded travelers. Drivers are encouraged to check www.511mn.org for current road condition information before they travel.

Motorists should:

• Check www.511mn.org or get the free smartphone app at Google Play or the App Store for road condition information, travel alerts
• Don’t drive distracted.
• Slow down to a safe speed for current conditions.
• Stay alert for snowplows, which travel slower, turn often or exit frequently. Snowplows may travel over centerlines or partially into traffic to clear roads and improve conditions.
• Stay back at least 10 car lengths behind the plow. Don’t drive into a snow cloud.
• Turn headlights on.
• Turn off cruise control.
• Wear your seat belt.
• Be patient and remember snowplows are working to improve road conditions for your trip.

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

• Join the MnDOT South Central Minnesota Facebook group 
• Follow us on Twitter @mndotscentral
• For updated road condition information visit www.511mn.org.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is closing several state highways and Interstate 90 in South Central Minnesota at 6:00 p.m. Sunday. Snow and strong winds are creating blowing and drifting snow, significantly reducing visibility and creating hazardous travel conditions.

Roads closed:

• All state highways in Nobles, Jackson, Cottonwood, Watonwan, Martin, and Faribault counties
• I-90 from Albert Lea to Worthington
  • Eastbound I-90 from the South Dakota border to Worthington will remain open
  • Westbound I-90 from Adrian to the South Dakota border will remain open
  • Westbound I-90 from Worthington to Adrian will be closed
• Highway 60 from Iowa to Mankato
• Highway 15 from Iowa to Highway 19

The road closures are expected to remain overnight and until conditions gradually improve on Monday. South Central Minnesota remains in a Blizzard Warning until Monday morning. 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 are possible as conditions are expected to remain difficult overnight. Visit www.511mn.org to view current road condition information.

No travel advised:

A no travel advisory remains on state highways in the following counties: Rock, Sibley, Nicollet, Le Sueur, Waseca, Brown, and Blue Earth.

No travel advised means that the roadway has deteriorated and/or visibility has been reduced to the point that it is very dangerous to travel; there are reports of whiteout conditions; and some weather conditions can be severe enough that road treatments are not effective, and conditions can become life-threatening for stranded travelers.

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

If you must travel, motorists should have a full tank of gas and winter survival kit and remember to:

• Know before you go – check Minnesota 511 Travel Information | MnDOT (511mn.org) or the 511mn app before you drive.
• Don’t drive distracted.
• Slow down to a safe speed for current conditions.
• Stay alert for snowplows, which travel slower, turn often or exit frequently. Snowplows may travel over centerlines or partially into traffic to clear roads and improve conditions.
• Stay back at least 10 car lengths behind the plow. Don’t drive into a snow cloud.
• Turn headlights on.
• Turn off cruise control.
• Wear your seat belt.
• Be patient and remember snowplows are working to improve road conditions for your trip.

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