Highway 21 ramp closure to northbound Interstate 35 begins Sept. 11 near Faribault
This ramp closure will last several weeks. The detour route has motorists travel further south on Highway 21, turn right onto Highway 60 and use the ramp to access northbound Interstate 35.
Project background
The first year of the project is scheduled to be complete in October and is part of the Interstate 35 resurfacing project in Rice County near Faribault. Construction will take place over two years and it has been broken into four phases.
- In 2023, work, which began July 10, includes construction of median crossover lanes, resurfacing southbound Interstate 35 between Bagley Avenue/Western Avenue and Rice County Road 48 and rehabilitating the flyover ramp (southbound Lyndale Avenue) from Highland Place to southbound I-35 and the northbound ramp at Highway 21.
- In 2024, crews will resurface northbound and southbound Interstate 35 and reconstruct ramps at Rice County Road 48, Highway 60 and Highway 21.
2023 traffic impacts
- Traffic reduced to a single lane in each direction
- Southbound traffic shifted onto northbound side of Interstate 35 while Rice County Road 48 southbound ramp and southbound mainline work is completed from Bagley Avenue to the south end of the project
- Ramps occasionally closed, two of the three ramps into Faribault may be under construction at the same time
Safety
Motorists may encounter lane closures or lane shifts, uneven road surfaces, equipment and other unexpected obstacles when driving near or through work zones. MnDOT advises motorists to:
- Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
- Go hands-free and minimize other distractions (e.g., don’t eat or drink while driving).
- Follow posted speed limits; the fine for speeding in a work zone is $300.
- Avoid making lane changes within work zones.
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