Westbound Interstate 90 ramp and rest area closures near Blue Earth begin May 30
MANKATO, Minn. – Motorists are advised that the Highway 169 entrance ramp to westbound Interstate 90 near Blue Earth and the westbound I-90 exit ramp to Faribault County Road 17 are expected to close Tuesday, May 30, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Motorists wanting to travel on westbound I-90 at Highway 169 will be detoured to Faribault County Road 6, 8 and 1.
The ramp closures are expected until mid-August, weather permitting. All ramps at the Highway 169 interchange will remain open during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
The westbound I-90 rest area located just west of Blue Earth will also be temporarily closed starting May 30 for approximately two months.
Traffic on I-90 is currently maintained with two-way traffic, one lane in each direction, in the eastbound lanes from Blue Earth to east of Faribault County Road 17.
Project information, benefits, and costs
Construction on I-90 is expected to be complete in late October 2023, weather permitting. Approximately 20 miles of I-90 will be resurfaced from two miles west of Highway 169 near Blue Earth to Highway 22 south of Wells during the two-year (2023-2024) project. Both eastbound and westbound I-90 will be improved, as well as ramps, bridges, culverts, and lighting along the project. Eastbound I-90 will be under construction in 2024.
To commemorate the completion of I-90 in 1978, concrete panels near Blue Earth were tinted gold, reminiscent of the ‘Golden Spike’ that symbolized completion of the nation’s first transcontinental railroad in 1869. In 2006, when I-90 needed repaving, most of the golden panels were paved over. As part of the 2023-2024 construction project, the golden panels will be reestablished in their same locations across both the eastbound and westbound lanes of I-90.
Benefits of the project include improved pavement, bridges, drainage, and lighting. Other benefits include improved sidewalks at the Blue Earth Rest Areas to comply with the Americans with Disability Act. PCiRoads was awarded the design-build project with a bid of $80,192,151.70.
Stay connected
- Visit the I-90 project website for more information, to sign up for email and text message updates.
Important work zone safety reminders
- Slow down when approaching every work zone
- Never enter a roadway that has been blocked with barriers or cones
- Stay alert; watch for workers and slow-moving equipment
- Obey posted speed limits. Fine for a violation in a work zone is $300
- Minimize distractions behind the wheel
- Be patient; expect delays, especially during peak travel times
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