MANKATO, Minn. – Beginning June 21, motorists traveling through south central and southwest Minnesota can expect short-term lane closures as Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS) stations are installed at six different locations.

The six locations in Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Martin and Rock counties include:

I-90 near Magnolia at Milepost (MP) 21.6
I-90 90 near Welcome at MP 93.7
I-90 90 near Wells at MP 138.7
Highway 60 near Mountain Lake at MP 48.2
Highway 14 near Springfield at MP 80.7
Highway 30 near Mapleton at MP 146.8
No detours are required for this project; work will be completed under traffic with flagging operations when lane closures are required for everyone’s safety.

RWIS is an environmental sensor station in the field that is used to collect weather data such as atmospheric parameters, pavement conditions, and visibility. MnDOT uses the information gathered as well as the camera images for maintenance decision support. The information is also sent to the National Weather Service as well as Minnesota’s 511 system. There are currently 125 RWIS systems throughout Minnesota, with an additional 36 systems to be added throughout the state by December 2022.

The project will cost $1.5 million and is scheduled to be complete by mid-September. The contractor is Design Electric. For additional information about this project, contact MnDOT Project Supervisor Jon Bjorkquist at 218-821-1505.

Watch for orange cones on this project
MnDOT asks that travelers always drive with caution, and reminds everyone to:

Slow down when approaching every work zone, then navigate through with care
Stay alert; work zones constantly change
Watch for workers and slow-moving equipment
Never enter a roadway that has been blocked with barriers or cones
Obey posted speed limits; fine for a work zone violation is $300
Minimize distractions behind the wheel
Be patient; expect delays, especially during peak travel times
For more information on 2021 Construction projects in south central and southwest Minnesota, visit www.mndot.gov/d7/projects.html