Hwy 52 reopens at I-90 as bridge demolition is completed; detour remains further south
ROCHESTER, Minn. – Highway 52 reopened to traffic southeast of Rochester on Saturday (April 12) as construction crews finished demolition of the eastbound Interstate 90 bridge, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Motorists will be able to use southbound Highway 52 from Rochester to reach the eastbound I-90 on-ramp. Motorists who want to travel further south on Highway 52 into Marion and beyond will be detoured using the I-90 eastbound on-ramp and travel to the next I-90 exit (Exit 224) at Eyota to travel south on Olmsted County Road 7 to connect with Highway 52 north of Chatfield. This detour will be in place until November.
The westbound I-90 off-ramp to northbound Highway 52 to Rochester remains open. The westbound I-90 on-ramp from southbound Highway 52 is open, too.
Other ramp closures are in effect. Check the MnDOT project website for full listings and maps on ramp closures and dates. You can also sign up to receive email and text message updates via the website.
This is year 2 of a three-year project. Crews are replacing the eastbound and westbound 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 the interchange ramps.
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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