Highway 89 reopens south of Wannaska

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Highway 89, south of Wannaska, has reopened to traffic as repairs have been completed on the bridge over the South Fork Roseau River.

Robert R. Schroeder Construction Inc. was the contractor for the $787,855 project. The improvements have provided a safer bridge for motorists.

For more updates on this, and other projects in the region follow us on Twitter @mndotnorthwest, or log on to www.511mn.org for real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota.

Detour on Demers Avenue in East Grand Forks begins Sept. 3

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Motorists on Highway 2B (Demers Avenue) in East Grand Forks will experience a detour and delays as crews complete pedestrian accessibility improvements from the Red River to Second Avenue Northeast. The intersection at Second Street Northwest will be closed and motorists should use the signed detour.

Truck traffic seeking access to Crystal Sugar is encouraged to avoid Demers Avenue and follow Gateway Drive.

Lane closures along with shoulder/parking lane closures will be utilized throughout the project which is expected to be complete in mid-Sept., weather permitting.

Ti-Zack Concrete Inc. is the contractor for the $397,234 project. It includes construction of pedestrian ramps and concrete paving.

When complete the project will improve safety for pedestrians and motorists.

Motorists should always drive with caution, slowdown in work zones and never enter a road or lane blocked with barriers or cones. For more updates on this, and other projects in the region follow us on Twitter @mndotnorthwest, or log on to www.511mn.org for real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota.

Construction work on 52nd Avenue South overpass in Fargo

Starting Monday, August 26, crews will begin project work on improving drainage on a Fargodistrict area roadway. North Dakota Department of Transportation – NDDOT – Fargo District will begin a project on the west side of 52^nd Avenue South, at the Interstate 29 interchange, in order to help remove standing water on the roadway in times of heavy area rains. Crews will be installing an storm drainage inlet within the median on the 52^nd Ave. S.overpass.

On Monday, crews will be closing the median traffic lane (the inside/third lane of traffic) in both west and east directions to begin project work.

During the project, motorists can expect to see the following on 52^nd Ave. S.:

·         Two lanes of traffic open in both directions.
·         Speeds reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph.

Project work is expected to last three weeks, weather permitting.

Also starting Monday crews will be working through the week on project follow up on Interstate 29/Interstate 94 tri-level ramp. Motorists should expect the shoulder to be closed, leaving two lanes of traffic open where possible, on the tri-level ramp. With crews working close to traffic, speeds will be reduced while work occurs.

Rear end crashes are the most common in work zones. Motorists are encouraged to slow down, allow extra distance between their vehicles and the vehicle in front of them, use caution and obey flaggers and posted signs.                                                                 

Stay updated

Currently the district has various ways for motorists to stay informed. Motorists have the option to choose the way they prefer to receive instant alerts about NDDOT projects in the Fargometro area including:

Text alerts - Text ‘FargoDOT’ to 66746 to receive alerts on your mobile device for Fargo area DOT projects.

Social media platforms - Like the NDDOT Fargo district Facebook page and follow us on Twitter to get project updates in your news feed.

 

Email updates - Visit NDDOTFargo.com for project information, detour maps and the latest project status. You can sign up to receive email updates on the website.

Lane restriction on Highway 1Red River Bridge in Oslo begins Aug. 26

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Motorists traveling on Highway 1 over the Red River in Oslo will encounter temporary lane closures and delays beginning Monday, Aug. 26, as crews conduct bridge inspections.

Traffic will be reduced to a single lane controlled by flaggers from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both lanes will be open each evening after crews have completed their work.

The lane closure will remain in effect through Tuesday, Aug. 27, weather permitting.

Motorists should always drive with caution, slowdown in work zones and never enter a road or lane blocked with barriers or cones.

For more updates on this, and other projects in the region follow us on Twitter @mndotnorthwest, or log on to www.511mn.org for real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota.

 

Another busy weekend for roadway construction and road closures in the Twin Cities Metro Area

ROSEVILLE, Minn. - Motorists should plan ahead this weekend when traveling due to another big weekend of  road construction projects and road closures in the Twin Cities metro area.

Highway projects that may affect travel this weekend in the Twin Cities metro area include:

• Hwy 3 - closed between 70th Street and Allen Way in Inver Grove Heights.
• Hwy 10 - single lane both directions between West Main Street/Greenhaven Road and just east of Seventh Avenue.
• I-35 - single lane southbound between I-35/I-35W/I-35E split and County Road 50.
• I-35W – closed westbound Ramsey County Rd 10 ramp to southbound I-35W and the northbound ramp to westbound Ramsey County Road 10.
• I-35W – closed southbound ramp to north/east Highway 13.    
• Hwy 36 - closed both directions between White Bear Avenue and Hwy 61 and single-lane traffic between Hwy 61 and Edgerton Street. Ramp closures include northbound Hwy 61 to eastbound Hwy 36; westbound Hwy 36 to northbound Hwy 61; southbound Hwy 61 to westbound Hwy 36. 
• Hwy 65 - closed both directions between Osborne Road Northeast and 81st Avenue NE.
• Hwy 95 - closed both directions between County Rd 12 and County Rd 16.
• Hwy 169 - ramp closed from Hwy 101/ Hwy 13 to northbound Hwy 169.
• I-494 - closed westbound between I-35W and Hwy 100.
• I-694 - ramp closed from eastbound I-694 to Hwy 65 (Central Avenue).

There are still many work zones around the state that will affect travel this up-coming weekend. Motorists should pay attention in work zones and use extra caution when encountering work zones. 

For specific information about these projects visit http://www.dot.state.mn.us/fullclosures/

For real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota visit www.511mn.org                    

Highway 92 to reopen near Bagley

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Motorists will soon be able to drive along Highway 92 south of Bagley as the detour is removed later today.

 

Traffic has been detoured since July 22 to replace culverts and resurface the 10-mile stretch of highway from Highway 2 to Clearwater County Road 35 north of Zerkel. The detour followed Highway 2, County Road 2 and County Road 37 in Clearwater County.

 

As a result of the project motorists will now experience a smoother, safer highway with improved drainage beneath the road.

 

For more updates on this, and other projects in the region follow us on Twitter @mndotnorthwest, or log on to www.511mn.org for real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota.

Culvert cleaning & repair to take place on highways across NW MN

BEMIDJI, Minn.– Motorists across northwestern Minnesotamay encounter shoulder closures and brief delays as crews conduct culvert maintenance at numerous locations along state highways.

Crews will temporarily be operating heavy equipment along the highway shoulder, and Right of Way, to clear the culvert and install a new liner. Weather permitting, work will typically last only a day or two at each location. The overall project will last through December.

Subsurface Inc. and Veit & Company Inc. are contractors for these cure-in-place improvements. They will improve drainage and prolong the life of the culvert.

MnDOT urges motorists to always drive with caution, slowdown in work zones and never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones.

For more updates on this, and other projects in the region follow us on Twitter @mndotnorthwest, or log on to www.511mn.org for real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota.

Highway 10 fully reopens between Detroit Lakes, Boyer Lake

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. – All four lanes of Highway 10 have reopened to traffic between Detroit Lakes and Boyer Lake, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

 

Crews removed the barricades Wednesday night, Aug. 21.

 

The westbound lanes have been closed since late May for a resurfacing project.

 

Motorists will notice a smoother ride along eight miles of westbound Highway 10.

 

For real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org or dial 5-1-1.

Work continues on Highway 59 near Plummer

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Motorists on Highway 59 are encouraged to use the signed detour as work continues over the Clearwater River Bridge near Plummer. Motorists may experience delays as closures occur on non-detour roads in the area.

                                      

The detour follows Highway 92, Highway 32 and Pennington County Road 3. The project will last until mid-September, weather permitting.

 

Robert R. Schroeder Construction Inc. is the contractor for the project which cost $1.1 million..

 

The improvements will provide a smoother and safer ride for motorists.

 

Motorists should always drive with caution, slowdown in work zones and never enter a road or lane blocked with barriers or cones. For more updates on this, and other projects in the region follow us on Twitter @mndotnorthwest, or log on to www.511mn.org for real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota.

Detour on Highway 200 near Halstad begins August 26

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Motorists near Halstad will encounter a detour and temporary lane closures on Highway 200 beginning Monday, Aug. 26 as crews repair and replace the concrete pavement from Highway 75 to a half-mile from the border with North Dakota.

The detour will follow Highway 75 to County Road 147 (First Street West) and last up to two weeks, weather permitting. Temporary lane closures may take place after the detour is lifted as crews complete joint sealing, concrete grinding and pavement striping.

Residents and area motorists are invited to learn more about the improvement project and detour at a public meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the Halstad Telephone Company, 345 Second Avenue West, Halstad, Minn.

Representatives from the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the contractor, Interstate Improvement, Inc. will be on hand to provide plans for upcoming construction activities. They will also address questions or concerns about the project.

When the project is complete motorists will experience a smoother ride and safer highway.

Motorists should always drive with caution, slowdown in work zones and never enter a road or lane blocked with barriers or cones. For more updates on this, and other projects in the region follow us on Twitter @mndotnorthwest, or log on to www.511mn.org for real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota.

ND DOT I-94 Fargo update

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) – Fargo District – would like to share a traffic control update for the Interstate 94 (I-94) project. Beginning tomorrow, Thursday, Aug. 8 at 6 a.m., lane closures on eastbound I-94 from the pedestrian bridge to the Red River will shift from the left lane closed to right lanes closed. Two lanes of traffic will remain open throughout this stretch.   

Later this week additional lane shifts may occur in the westbound I-94 direction. Lane closures are needed as crews continue concrete pavement repair work on the eastbound and westbound I-94 roadway as well as project work at the 5th Street Southbridge, where crews are smoothing out the roadway profile.

The 40 mph speed limits remain in effect to protect motorists and crews due to shortened merge points, narrowed lanes and crews working adjacent to traffic.

While traveling through the work zone, NDDOT urges motorists to take extra caution by obeying posted signs and flaggers and eliminating all distractions.

Stay updated

The Fargodistrict’s trial period of the BlueTOAD, the real-time speed and travel time map, has ended on the I-94 project. NDDOT Fargo District is seeking feedback regarding motorists use of the travel time system map during the trial.

Motorists can send comments to district’s email at info@nddotfargo.com.  

Currently the district has various ways for motorists to stay informed. Motorists have the option to choose the way they prefer to receive instant alerts about NDDOT projects in the Fargometro area including:

Text alerts - Text ‘FargoDOT’ to 66746 to receive alerts on your mobile device for Fargo area DOT projects.

Social media platforms - Like the NDDOT Fargo district Facebook page and follow us on Twitter to get project updates in your news feed.

Email updates - Visit NDDOTFargo.com for project information, detour maps and the latest project status. You can sign up to receive email updates on the website.

I-94 Clearwater to St. Cloud project complete; all lanes now open

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Motorists travelling Interstate 94 between Clearwater and St. Cloud will find all lanes and ramps of the newly resurfaced roadway open to traffic.

Regular lane closures have occurred on the segment of road since late March as crews resurfaced the roadway’s pavement and shoulders, improved drainage and installed new guardrail.

That project is now complete, and no closures are planned on that segment of I-94 for the remainder of 2013.

Work continues on I-94 between St. Michael and Monticello. Motorists travelling that segment of interstate should slow down, be prepared to stop and plan for non-rush hour delays as lane closures will continue through early September.

For more information on the I-94 Clearwater to St. Cloud project, visit www.mndot.gov/d3/i94/.

For more information on the I-94 St. Michael to Monticello project, visit mndot.gov/d3/i94/commute.html

For real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org.

Where are Consumers Spending their Money?

BBB offers a free online service, Consumer Purchase Planning Trends. This service is offered exclusively on BBB’s website and indicates current purchasing trends made by consumers for ten different industries. 

Business owners can check out the purchase planning trends from the last six to thirty-six months, which is a great indicator for future purchases. Each month the public checks out a business with BBB serving Eastern Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont, over 300,000 times.

Last month, Home Remodeling, Construction & Maintenance saw a 2.01% increase in consumer purchase planning in June 2013 from May 2013, with 96,897 inquiries.

The purchase planning information will help predict where consumers are thinking of spending their money on a monthly basis.

To take advantage of this new feature or to learn more, visit bbb.org/boston/public/trends.

OSHA in the Workplace

If you operate in the construction or manufacturing industry, you’re likely familiar with the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, or OSHA. OSHA can be a scary acronym, but understanding their practices and why they’re important can alleviate some of that confusion and stress.

We've compiled some basic tips when communicating with OSHA before and during an inspection:

• OSHA exists to ensure safe working conditions, and to help you avoid citations rather than just give them.
• When an OSHA Inspector arrives at your office, factory or construction site, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask for their credentials and verify they are who they say they are. If something seems not quite right, call the OSHA regional office.
• Wait until the proper person arrives before authorizing the inspection to begin. The Inspector may have a lot of questions regarding safety and business practices, and you want to have a properly-trained employee there to answer these questions.
• Keep copies of any documentation provided to OSHA during the inspection, and try and record the things they are recording. Inspections may result in further questions and investigations, and you want to have comprehensive documents to refer to.
• If you’re issued citations you agree with, pay them! You will have a limited time frame to make payment, or penalties may be issued.
• If you’re issued any citations you don’t agree with, take the extra step to set up an informal conference. Present your side of the story, give evidence, bring records, and show good faith efforts for your corrective actions.

So what can you do to be ready?

• Train your employees! Especially the person at the front desk, or the first point of contact for your business.
• Make a checklist with a “What to Expect” list for your employees. OSHA Inspectors often arrive after unexpected accidents—you don’t want confused employees assisting an Inspector during a potentially critical time.
• Make a readily-available inspection kit. Include contact numbers (HR, store manager, etc.), camera, pencils/pens and measuring tape.
• Review your safety policy ever 7 years, and have appropriate training so employees know it’s serious and relevant.
• Post safety and labor-related posters in well-seen areas, and update them frequently.
• Contact OSHA to find out which safety standards apply to your business and implement policies specific to those standards.

It's important to keep safety a top priority. If a citation is discovered, it will be a fine. Non-payment of fines and failure to correct issues can end up being extremely costly to your business and sometimes you perso
nally.