3 Roadways Re-Open In Western MN; But Travel Still Not Advised
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Authorities said three roadways re-opened at 5 p.m. Monday after being closed due to a late winter storm.
The State Patrol and the Department of Transportation (MnDOT) said high winds and heavy snow caused these three roads ways to close:
-- Interstate 94 between Moorhead and Alexandria
-- Highway 10 between Moorhead and Audubon
-- Highway 210 between Breckenridge and Fergus Falls
While these roads have re-opened, MnDOT still advises no unnecessary travel in all, or portions of, Beltrami, Kittson, Clearwater, Marshall, Pennington, Polk, Red lake and Roseau counties. Conditions in those areas include low visibility, high winds and ground drifting.
One roadway -- Highway 2 from East Grand Forks to Crookston – remains closed.
Since 6 a.m., there have been 176 crashes statewide — 10 of those including injury — and 117 vehicles off the road or spin-outs, according to the State Patrol.
The blizzard conditions led 50 truck drivers, including Lester Manbever, to take refuge at in a Walmart parking lot outside of St. Cloud. Manbever's 32 years of driving experience informed his decision to get off the road.
"We can't beat Mother Nature," Manbever said. "I'd rather park it, be safe and not take the risk on hurting anybody."
For more information on road conditions, click here.
