Road weather information systems to be installed

Motorists traveling throughout southwest Minnesota can expect short-term lane closures as Road Weather Information Systems stations are installed at eight different locations.
The eight locations in Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lyon, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville and Yellow Medicine counties include:
U.S. Highway 12 near Atwater at Milepost 85.4
U.S. Highway 212 near Hector at Milepost 84.4
U.S. Highway 212 near Dawson at Milepost 24.1
U.S. Highway 75 near Canby at Milepost 84.0
Highway 68 near Taunton at Milepost 22.9
Highway 68 near Milroy at Milepost 59.0
U.S. Highway 14 near Florence at Milepost 21.2
U.S. Highway 75 near Trosky at Milepost 30.3
No detours are required for this project; work will be completed under traffic with flagging operations when lane closures are required for everyone's safety.
Road Weather Information Stations is an environmental sensor station in the field that is used to collect weather data such as atmospheric parameters, pavement conditions, and visibility. MnDOT uses the information gathered as well as the camera images for maintenance decision support.
The information is also sent to the National Weather Service as well as Minnesota's 511 system. There are currently 108 Road Weather Information Systems throughout Minnesota, with an additional 53 systems to be added throughout the state over the next two years.
The cost to install the additional Road Weather Information Systems sites statewide is $3.5 million. The installations in southwest Minnesota are scheduled to be complete by Dec. 24, 2020. The contractor is Design Electric.
For additional information about this project, contact MnDOT Project Supervisor Jon Bjorkquist at 218-828-5722.
MnDOT asks that travelers watch for orange cones on this project and slow down when approaching every work zone, then navigate throughout with care.