Highway 42 bridge repairs at I-90 will require detour beginning Aug. 29

Motorists who use the Highway 42 bridge over Interstate 90 south of Eyota will need to follow a detour to cross the bridge when the three-week repair effort begins on Aug. 29, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The exit and entrance ramps to I-90 will remain open. Detours of the bridge will utilize the next highway exit. They are as follows:

Motorists on I-90 westbound or Highway 42, who want to travel eastbound on I-90 or go south of the bridge on Olmsted County Road 7, will travel east to Exit 218 (Rochester). There, motorists exit, turn left onto southbound Highway 52 and then rejoin I-90 via the eastbound ramp to continue eastbound or exit to Olmsted County Road 7.

Motorists on I-90 eastbound or Olmsted County Road 7, who want to travel westbound on I-90 or go north of the bridge on Highway 42 toward Eyota, will travel eastbound to Exit 229 (Dover, Olmsted County Road 10), turn left to cross under I-90 and then rejoin I-90 via the westbound ramp to continue westbound or exit to Highway 42 north to Eyota.

The repair work will be on the bridge’s steel and rubber expansion joints and is expected to be completed within three weeks. The detour will be in place during the entire time of the repairs through mid-September.

Safety

Motorists may encounter lane closures or lane shifts, uneven road surfaces, equipment and other unexpected obstacles when driving near or through work zones. MnDOT advises motorists to: 

• Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
• Go hands-free and minimize other distractions (e.g., don’t eat or drink while driving).
• Follow posted speed limits; the fine for speeding in a work zone is $300.
• Avoid making lane changes within work zones.