Upcoming MNDOT Highway Cleanup

The Minnesota Department of Transportation asks motorists traveling on southeastern Minnesota highways to watch for slow moving MNDOT trucks this spring. MNDOT trucks outfitted with an eight-foot wide magnet drive slowly along the road shoulders to pick up nails, screws, wire and other metal that can cause flat tires and be hazardous to vehicles. The magnet effort helps clear the shoulders for motorists, but also aids MNDOT vehicles, which are often doing work that requires driving along the road shoulders. The trucks move at approximately 5 to 10 mph and are followed by warning trucks to make sure motorists use another lane to give the crews a safe cushion of space. Crews will often be able to fill a 5-gallon pail with various metal objects plucked by the magnet, including nails, screws and springs. It’s part of the annual spring cleaning that MNDOT conducts on state highways to get ready for summer travel and construction season. Shoulders are also swept and bridges are flushed with fresh water to clear the remnants of winter’s snow and salt treatment. Work is occurring or is planned on Interstates 35 and 90 and Highways 3, 14, 19, 52, 56 and 61.
   

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