I-90 west of Albert Lea and I-35 south of Albert Lea reopen

Slow travel continues on SE Minnesota state highways compacted with ice

ROCHESTER Minn. (10 a.m.) – The Minnesota Department of Transportation has reopened Interstate 90 west of Albert Lea to Worthington Interstate 35 southbound south of Albert Lea.

Highway 247 between Highway 63 and Plainview north of Rochester is closed at this hour because of drifting. Crews are working to reopen the road today.

Even with roads reopened, state highways in many areas remain compacted with ice and snow, making for slow travel. Roads remain icy and compacted, but MnDOT’S 101 snowplows in southeast Minnesota are out working with ice breakers, large snowblowers and salt to loosen the compaction and push back the drifting snow.

MnDOT has lifted its no travel advisory in southeast but is listing roads as fully covered with snow and ice.

Road conditions are expected to slowly improve in the next few days. Motorists can do their part by slowing down, using longer following distances between vehicles and giving snowplows plenty of room. Slow down and move over if you see a snowplow or flashing vehicle lights.

Motorists can review travel conditions via 511mn.org . You can also check the X page and the MnDOT Southeast Facebook group.

Stay updated on changing winter driving conditions in southeast Minnesota by signing up for MnDOT winter driving updates via text message or email. Go to the southeast MnDOT website and look for the Winter driving updates link to sign up.

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