14-hour detour planned Nov. 8 on I-90 Austin to prepare for traffic changes
AUSTIN, Minn. – Motorists on Interstate 90 in Austin will be detoured from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 8, while construction crews install guardrail, install lighting and prepare for a change in traffic near the 4th Street Northwest bridge, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
I-90 will close in both directions 6 a.m. Saturday as crews install guardrail and lighting in the corridor near the bridge. There will also be some grading work during the time. I-90 will reopen by 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 8.
One more closure of I-90 is expected in the coming weeks to allow crews to change over to the new traffic setup for motorists. That closure will be announced in advance.
The 4th Street NW bridge is expected to open prior to Thanksgiving, weather permitting.
During the closures, motorists will be detoured:
- Eastbound I-90 traffic will be detoured off I-90 at Highway 105/Oakland Avenue bridge (Exit 175) on the west side of Austin and follow Highway 105 south and east to Mower County Road 28 east to Highway 218 north and then reconnect with I-90. Eastbound motorists will be able to exit further east at Highway 218 (14th Street Northwest), which is Exit 177, but no travel is allowed beyond on I-90.
- Westbound I-90 traffic will be detoured off I-90 at Highway 218 south (Exit 180 B) on the east side of Austin. Travel south on Highway 218 to Mower County Road 28 west to Highway 105 north where it will reconnect with I-90 on the west side of Austin at the Highway 105/Oakland Avenue bridge.
Westbound traffic will be able reach Austin destinations by using exits at:
- Oakland Place Northeast (Exit 180 A)
- 11th Drive Northeast (Exit 179)
- 6th Street Northeast (178B) - No traffic will be allowed past this exit during the nightly closures.
This is Year 2 of a three-year $50 million construction project at six sites in Austin. The new bridge will open to traffic at 4th Street Northwest later in November. Other bridge construction is planned for 2026.
To learn more about the project, visit the MnDOT project website where you can also sign up to receive email and text message updates.
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 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 upcoming MnDOT southeast Minnesota construction projects.
- Search job openings and sign up to receive southeast Minnesota job alerts.
- Sign up to receive emails about traffic safety.
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