Staying Safe During the 2012 Construction Season

The Minnesota Department of Transportation today announced its 2012 construction program, which will include 316 economy-boosting projects in the Metro and in Greater Minnesota. This year's state highway construction projects include work on the Interstate I-694/Highway 10 interchange in the Twin Cities and completion of construction on I-35 in Duluth. Other projects will improve safety at railroad crossings, repair weather-damaged seawalls and docks, and repair runways and terminals at regional airports.

“MnDOT is focused on improving our highways and maximizing the capacity of the system,” said Commissioner Tom Sorel. “Our transportation system is vital to the state’s economy and to its citizens’ quality of life. We want to ensure that it provides a safe and efficient trip for all users.”

Commissioner Sorel recently discussed the approaching construction season, emphasizing the department's focus on safety. He described Towards Zero Deaths, an interagency partnership which strives to reduce traffic fatalities through education, enforcement, and emergency services. The program brings together the efforts of Minnesota's Departments of Transportation, Public Safety, and Health, as well as the Minnesota State Patrol, Federal Highway Administration, and the University of Minnesota's Center for Transportation Studies. These agencies provide technical assistance, materials, and guidance to local groups who share the program's commitment to reducing traffic-related injuries and fatalities.

Commissioner Sorel is emphatic in his commitment to reaching the goals of the Towards Zero Deaths initiative, and to keeping all Minnesotans safe in a season of infrastructure changes and increased travel.