Hwy 52 closed, detoured south of Rochester April 8-12

ROCHESTER, Minn. —– Highway 52 will be closed at Interstate 90 April 8-12 as the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s contractor demolishes the eastbound I-90 bridge. Southbound Highway 52 motorists will be detoured in Rochester to connect with the interstate at Stewartville via Highway 63.

The bridge demolition work will kickoff year 2 of the three-year project.

Here’s what motorists can expect:

April 7-November: I-90 traffic will be moved to single lanes in each direction in the westbound lanes to allow for the demolition of the eastbound I-90 bridge.
April 8-12: Highway 52 and I-90 eastbound on-ramp will be closed and detoured:

Southbound Highway 52 traffic will go south on Highway 63 in Rochester to eastbound I-90 at Stewartville. Traffic that wants to continue south on Highway 52 will exit eastbound I-90 at Exit 224 (Eyota exit), travel south on Olmsted County Road 7 to Highway 52 north of Chatfield.
Northbound Highway 52 (from Chatfield), go north on Olmsted County Road 7 and exit onto westbound I-90, take ramp to Highway 52 (Exit 218).

April 12-November: Highway 52 closed south of eastbound I-90 on-ramp.

To travel north on Highway 52 (from Chatfield), go north on Olmsted County Road 7 and exit onto westbound I-90, take ramp to Highway 52 (Exit 218).
To travel south on Highway 52 (from Rochester), exit to I-90 eastbound, take Exit 224 (Eyota exit), take a right and go south on Olmsted County Road 7, which intersects with Highway 52.

April 8-November: Northbound Highway 52 on-ramp to eastbound I-90 closed.

Go north on Olmsted County Road 7 and exit onto eastbound I-90.

April 8-November: Northbound Highway 52 to westbound I-90 on-ramp closed.

Go north on Olmsted County Road 7 and exit onto westbound I-90.

April 7- November: Eastbound I-90 off-ramp to Highway 52 closed, detoured:

Continue on eastbound I-90 and take Exit 224 (Eyota exit).

To go south on Highway 52, go south on Olmsted County Road 7, which intersects with Highway 52.
To go north on Highway 52, turn left over bridge and exit onto westbound I-90, take ramp to Highway 52 (Exit 218).

During the three-year project, crews will be replacing the I-90 bridges over Highway 52, constructing a new ramp for southbound Highway 52 to eastbound I-90, reconstructing all ramps and loops and replacing large culverts under interchange ramps.

The project is expected to improve safety on the interchange ramps and intersections, increase clearance under the I-90 bridges over Highway 52 and improve traffic flow and reduce traffic delays through the interchange, which is a busy commuter and freight route.

To learn more about this project, go to MnDOT’s website where you can also sign up to receive email and text message updates.

Safety in work zones

Motorists should always be prepared to encounter traffic changes when approaching work zones including lane closures, lane shifts, uneven road surfaces, slow-moving heavy equipment and slow or stopped traffic. To keep everyone safe, drivers must:

Obey posted speed limits. The fine for speeding in a work zone is $300.
Drive undistracted. Avoid using cell phones, mobile devices, adjusting the radio – even eating –while in work zones.
Move over. Give workers room to safely complete their work.
Know before you go. Get real-time information about traffic and road conditions at www.511mn.org or get the free 511mn smartphone app at Google Play or the App Store.
Be patient. Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
Do the zipper merge.
Avoid making unnecessary lane changes.
Never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones.

Stay connected, informed

Check out other MnDOT southeast Minnesota construction projects and sign up for construction updates.

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