By Doug Mack

A winter that saw some of the heaviest snowfalls on record has led to a waterlogged spring as rivers and lakes, and even typically calm streams, have risen around Minnesota. The flooding has closed roadways large and small and kept MnDOT crews busy keeping the public safe by diverting traffic and maintaining a close watch on ever-changing conditions over the past few weeks.

The many road closures have included:

• Hwy 9, Hwy 200, Hwy 317 and Hwy 220 in District 2
• Hwy 47 in District 3
• Hwy 7, Hwy 9, Hwy 27 and Hwy 75 in District 4
• Hwy 60 and Hwy 61 in District 6
• Hwy 93 and Hwy 19 in District 7
• Hwy 167, Hwy 75 and Hwy 40 (due to “chandeliering” ice on the road) in District 8

While some of the closures have been for just a day or two, others have lasted longer, including in District 6.

“A small area of Hwy 60 east of Hwy 61 at Wabasha has been closed since April 14,” said Mike Dougherty, District 6 Public Engagement and Communications director. “A backwater area of the Mississippi River has flooded the road at a low area that passes underneath railroad tracks. The Mississippi River is expected to reach its peak levels this week.”

Every closure requires careful consideration of various factors, starting with public safety; it also necessitates a thoughtful approach to the type of closure. In some cases, only a lane or two needs to be shut down temporarily, while traffic continues on the rest of the roadway. When a road is completely closed, MnDOT officials plan a detour and, in some cases, take other measures.

When MnDOT recently closed Hwy 19 in southern Minnesota, for example, rerouting the traffic required extra steps.

“We are putting up a temporary traffic signal at the intersection of Hwy 25 and Cty Rd 3 in Belle Plaine,” said Ryan Wilson, Metro South area manager. “This helps move the additional traffic through the intersection.”

Wilson added that in some past instances of road closures leading to a significant increase in traffic elsewhere, MnDOT will restripe roadways on an emergency basis to add lanes. Such actions have not been necessary yet this spring, but have been used in past years when flooding in the Minnesota River valley required closing bridges in the southern suburbs of the Twin Cities, leading to more vehicles on Hwy 169.

To keep tabs on local conditions around the state, including road closures, use the 511 app or the 511 website.

By Julie Bartkey

April is Earth Month, and one way that MnDOT has marked the occasion is to take stock of the agency’s efforts to contribute to a cleaner, greener environment.

The transportation sector continues to be the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emission in Minnesota and the state’s extreme weather this spring is an example of the impact of climate change. MnDOT is taking steps to address these issues, with the Office of Sustainability and Public Health helping to guide the next steps.

Here are a few examples of actions the agency has taken since Earth Month last year:

• Completing the 2022 update to the Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan, which included updated greenhouse gas reduction, vehicle miles traveled reduction, and zero-emission goals.
• Responding to the Sustainable Transportation Advisory Council’s third set of recommendations, which identified opportunities to advance electric vehicle infrastructure and multimodal transportation options.
• Releasing a Next Generation Highways Feasibility study, which explored opportunities to expand the use of MnDOT rights of way to support clean energy, modernize the electricity grid and support future demand growth and electrification of transportation.
• Updating the Complete Streets Policy and expanded training opportunities to support project managers and staff with addressing the safety and access needs of users of all ages and abilities.

Going forward, new federal climate and resilience programs provide opportunities for MnDOT and its partners to invest approximately $300 million over five years in plans and projects to create a more sustainable transportation system across Minnesota. This includes the Office of Sustainability and Public Health leading planning and programming for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program; Carbon Reduction Program; and Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT).

To learn more about these efforts, visit the MnDOT Office and Sustainability and Public Health website.

By Doug Mack

The Minnesota chapter of the Women's Transportation Seminar held its annual recognition awards ceremony on April 20, and MnDOT was well-represented among the honorees.

The agency was named Employer of the Year.

“When it comes to employee professional development and creating career pathways for women, MnDOT truly stands apart,” the citation read, in part. “MnDOT administers numerous workforce development programs to support women and employees at every career stage. MnDOT hosts five Career Pathway Programs designed to recruit, develop, and retain a highly qualified and diverse workforce.”

In addition, Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger was honored with the Woman of the Year Award, Jennifer Wiltgen, Metro District planning program coordinator, received the Member of the Year Award and Abdullahi Abdulle, transportation equity planning coordinator, Office of Transportation System Management, was given the Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award.

“I’m deeply honored to receive this recognition from WTS Minnesota – and to be in such good company with the other winners, including MnDOT’s own Abdullahi Abdulle and Jennifer Wiltgen,” Commissioner Daubenberger said. “We have a responsibility at MnDOT to create career pathways that help our agency better reflect the diverse communities we serve statewide. I’m proud of the progress MnDOT has made and look forward to continuing to commit ourselves to that critical work.”

By Siobhan Gordon

Social media impersonation has become a serious issue, as demonstrated recently by an imposter MnDOT account on TikTok that was gaining traction with the public. The account was posting unprofessional content and responding inappropriately to public inquiries, posing a significant threat to public trust in the agency's work. (MnDOT does not currently use TikTok for any communications.)

TikTok has now banned this account due to copyright violations, but it’s entirely possible there will be other accounts impersonating MnDOT in the future on TikTok or other social media platforms. It’s an ongoing problem that has happened to government agencies large and small — someone creates fake social media accounts pretending the agency in an effort to scam, spread misinformation or defame individuals or organizations.

To prevent incidents and protect the agency’s reputation, it’s crucial to report any possible imposter MnDOT social media accounts to the Office of Communications and Public Engagement. This will allow communications staff to take swift action to shut down the fake account.

To report an imposter social media account, contact the Office of Communications and Public Engagement with as much information as possible about the account, including the social media platform they are on, a link to the profile, username, profile picture and screenshots of any posts or messages.

MnDOT has active profiles on the following social media platforms:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

By Doug Mack

The MnROAD pavement test track near Albertville is one of the ways that the agency is constantly innovating. Using 50 distinct test sections, employees at the facility finds ways to make roads last longer, perform better, cost less to build and maintain, be built faster and have minimal impact on the environment. Running it all requires a strong, coordinated team, which includes Dan Roushar.

How long have you been at MnDOT and in what positions?
I have been at MnDOT for 5.5 years. My job title is Traffic Management Systems Integrator Senior.

What are your day-to-day tasks?
Maintaining the data collection systems at the MNROAD site. Assisting the engineers with data collection, assisting with road repairs and facility maintenance. Installation and repair of data collection systems, road sensor repair and installs. Data collection equipment development and repair and to assist the research staff.

Working at MNROAD is all about developing and designing roads to last longer. My job is to assist with the data collection so that the engineers can utilize all the data they have to make good decisions about the mixes they are using.

What the most challenging and rewarding parts of your job?
Most challenging would be working with all the different kinds of testing equipment that we use on a daily basis and keeping pace with rapidly changing technology. Knowing that what we are doing here at MNROAD is making a difference around the world for road conditions.

How has your job changed since your first started?
My job has changed in many ways over the years. Testing equipment and sensors constantly keep evolving, so our equipment and ways of operating have to adjust to the ever-changing climate of research.

Is there anything about your job that might surprise other people (either inside or outside MnDOT)? Something that might surprise people is that MnROAD is first-class road research center and known throughout the world. Working here has given me the opportunity to work with great people from the state of Minnesota and around the world.

What are your interests or hobbies outside your work with MnDOT?
My hobbies right now include watching my kids play sports on the weekends. I also enjoy going to movies and anything that has to do with the outdoors whether it be hunting, hiking or fishing.

Do you or a co-worker have an interesting job to share with readers? Send us your ideas, and we’ll contact you for more information.

Recent employee profiles:

• Becky Parzyck balances work at MnDOT, service in Navy Reserve
• A.J. Farrow maintains bridges and keeps roads clear
• Mike Ahlman serves drivers who need help

By Shawna Gibson, Metro Right of Way

What started in April 2008 as Autism Awareness Day has become Autism Acceptance Month, as proclaimed by Gov. Tim Walz.

As Walz’s proclamation noted, one in 36 Minnesotans have autism, and “because disability rights are human rights that should always move forward, autism awareness was a step toward autism acceptance that can grow further into autism appreciation.”

MnDOT is embracing the spirit of this proclamation – and the desire to create a welcoming and accessible society for people with autism – with a poster campaign created by the Spectrum Employee Resource Group. The display can be seen in person at Central Office and Water’s Edge throughout the month April. The Spectrum ERG encourages anyone who is passing through these buildings to take moment to read the posters, recognize some famous faces and learn about the autism spectrum and neurodiversity.