MANKATO — The Minnesota Department of Transportation has closed highways in southwest Minnesota due to numerous crashes and zero visibility, including Interstate 90 from the South Dakota state line to Blue Earth. The closures are now in effect (as of 3:30 p.m.) and include the following counties: Blue Earth (Minnesota 60 west of the junction with 169 only), western Brown, Cottonwood, Jackson, Martin, Nobles, Rock and Watonwan.
Roadways will remain closed until conditions improve. When a road is closed it is illegal to travel in that area. Drivers can be fined up to $1,000 and/or sentenced to 90 days in jail. In addition, if travelers need to be rescued from a closed road, other expenses and penalties could apply.
A no travel advisory has been added for some state highways in the following southwest Minnesota counties: rural areas of Blue Earth County, Faribault, Nicollet (Highways 111 and 22),
Sibley (Highways 22 and 19), and Waseca
Check 511mn.org for more specifics on closures and advisories.
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Snowplows will continue to operate in areas where they can see. Snowplows will be pulled off the road when visibility makes it unsafe for them to operate.
For real-time traffic and travel information in Minnesota, visit 511mn.org or get the free smartphone app at Google Play or the App Store. Follow MnDOT on Twitter @mndotscentral.
