Traffic changes on eastbound I-90 east of Blue Earth begin August 7
MANKATO, Minn. – Motorists traveling on eastbound Interstate 90 east Blue Earth can expect several traffic changes on August 7, weather permitting, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
- The eastbound I-90 exit ramp to Faribault County Road 17 will open to traffic on August 7; the entrance ramp will open in early September.
- The eastbound I-90 entrance ramp at Faribault County Road 23 will close on August 7; the exit ramp remains closed to traffic until late September.
- The exit ramp from eastbound I-90 to Highway 22 south of Wells will close on August 7 until early October. Traffic will be directed to exit at Faribault County Road 17 and use the Faribault County Road 16 detour route to Highway 22.
- Traffic on eastbound I-90 from approximately one mile west of Blue Earth to one mile east of Blue Earth will have intermittent lane closures for approximately three weeks.
- Traffic from approximately one mile east of Highway 169 near Blue Earth to one mile east of Highway 22 south of Wells will be two-way (head-to-head) traffic, one lane in each direction, in the westbound lanes until around Labor Day.
The eastbound and westbound I-90 rest areas located just west of Blue Earth remain closed as pavement in the parking areas will be replaced. The eastbound I-90 rest area is scheduled to open in mid-August, the westbound in mid-October.
The project is expected to be complete in late-October, weather permitting.
Project information, benefits, and costs
MnDOT is resurfacing approximately 20 miles of I-90 from Highway 169 near Blue Earth to Highway 22 south of Wells. This is the second year of a two-year project. Construction this year includes resurfacing eastbound I-90, as well as ramps, bridges, culverts, and lighting along the project. Pavement at the eastbound and westbound I-90 rest areas west of Blue Earth will also be improved as part of this year’s project, along with sidewalk to meet Americans with Disability Act standards. Construction on the westbound lanes of I-90 was completed in 2023.
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 this project, the golden panels were 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 is the prime contractor on the $90,100,000.00 project.
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