MnDOT Announces 2013 Construction Projects

ST. CLOUD -- Central Minnesota commuters who drive to and from the Twin Cities will want to avoid I-94 between St. Augusta and Clearwater this summer.

An 8-mile resurfacing project will create single-lane, two-way traffic 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Project Manager Dan Labo says the $16.4 million project will cause traffic to back-up for miles. He says it's best to find an alternate route.

The I-94 resurfacing project will be completed sometime in July. Initial non-rush hour lane closures are already underway as crews are preparing for the main project.  The initial lane closures are from sunrise to sunset now through Saturday.

MnDOT will be offering real-time traffic cameras on the project website. You can also get real time travel information on 511mn.org.

Other large central Minnesota projects include the Diverging Diamond Interchange project on Highway 15 in St. Cloud and the Highway 10 interchange project at Benton County Road 2 in Rice.

Highway 15 construction will start up in the next week or two.  The intersection will be closed down for a 30 day period this spring.  Highway 15 traffic will be put on temporary roads during that time.  Project Manager Tim Paul says traffic will be slower through the area but will still have access to all of the businesses in the area during the work.  The project is scheduled to be completed October 21st, weather permitting.

Work will also start on the Highway 10/Benton County Road 2 interchange.  It's a two season project starting July 8th this summer.  Motorists will see minimal slowdowns.  There will be some temporary lane closures at times.