Blowing and drifting snow creates hazardous driving conditions in western Stearns County
ST. CLOUD, Minn.— (7:45 p.m.) The Minnesota Department of Transportation advises no unnecessary travel in western Stearns County and surrounding areas due to blowing snow, drifting and reduced visibility.
Motorists should avoid Highway 71 south of Interstate 94 between Sauk Centre and Belgrade, Highway 4 between I-94 and Highway 55, and Highway 28 near Grey Eagle and Sauk Centre. All three roads have areas with snow drifts up to 7 feet high encroaching lanes, and areas where the roadway is reduced to a single passable lane.
Motorists who must travel should expect to encounter narrow roads, drifting and scattered slippery spots through much of south central Minnesota, including Wright, Stearns, Sherburne and Benton Counties.
MnDOT snow plow operators are doing their part to clear roads and make highways safe. Motorists should remember to:
- Check road conditions at www.511mn.org or call 511; it takes time to get roads back to good driving conditions.
- Be patient and remember snowplows are working to improve road conditions for your trip.
- Slow down to a safe speed for current conditions.
- Stay back at least five car lengths behind the plow, far from the snow cloud. Snowplow operators will pull over when it is safe to do so to allow traffic build-up to pass.
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