With a record number of travelers expected to hit the road for July 4th weekend, Minnesota motorists are being asked to pack some patience along with their picnic baskets to navigate road construction.
The orange cones won't go away on the red-white-and-blue weekend, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation urges drivers to plan with work zones in mind.
"We don't have workers at most of the zones over the holiday, but drivers will still need to slow down and consider alternate routes," said MnDOT spokesman Kevin Gutknecht.
Though the number of projects is down this year compared to last, more of the construction is on heavy-traffic roads, he said. MnDOT forecasts that travel periods will peak on Friday and Monday afternoons.
Nationwide, AAA estimates the weekend will see the highest July 4th travel volume on record — 43 million travelers, more than 36 million driving to their destinations.
Gutknecht said construction shouldn't be a travel deterrent, just a consideration. "We just ask that [drivers] take a moment to think about their routes and plan ahead. They might need to leave early and fortify themselves with patience," he said.
Drivers can check www.511mn.org for information on construction and detours.
And there's some good news: The average price of a gallon of regular gas in the state is $2.21, down about 44 cents from this time last year, marking a six-year low, according to the AAA. And busy Interstate 94 between St. Cloud and Collegeville will have all lanes open through the weekend.
MARA KLECKER
