Motorists should expect ramp closures and single lane traffic restrictions on Interstate 35 in Freeborn County beginning Wednesday, May 1. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is resurfacing northbound I-35 from the Iowa border to 0.1 miles north of Interstate 90. North and southbound traffic will be restricted to a single lane each direction on the southbound lanes. In addition, the following ramps will be closed.

– Northbound I-35 exit ramp to Co. Rd. 5. Traffic will be detoured north to the Co. Rd. 13 exit, west on Co. Rd. 13, and south on Co. Rd. 18 to Co. Rd. 5.

– Northbound I-35 entrance ramp from Co. Rd. 5. Traffic will be detoured west on Co. Rd. 5., north on Co. Rd. 18, and east on Co. Rd. 13 to northbound I-3 5 entrance ramp.

– Northbound I-35 entrance and exit ramps at Highway 65. 1-35 Traffic will be detoured at the Co. Rd. 13 interchange, west on Co. Rd. 13, north on Co. Rd. 18, and east on Co. Rd. 84 which intersects with Highway 65. Highway 65 traffic accessing northbound I-35 will be detoured west on Co. Rd. 84, south on Co. Rd. 18, and east on Co. Rd. 13 to the northbound I-35 entrance ramp. Highway 65 will also have access to northbound I-35 via the Co. Rd. 46 interchange.

– Northbound 1-35 exit ramp to westbound 1-90. Traffic will be detoured east on 1-90 to Co. Rd. 26 exit ramp, then back onto westbound 1-90.

– Eastbound I-90 exit ramp to northbound I-35. Traffic will be detoured east on I-90 to Co. Rd. 26 exit ramp, then back onto westbound I-90 to northbound I-3 5 entrance ramp.

Most of the ramps will reopen in early fall, according to MnDOT.

The second phase of the project begins after Labor Day. Stage two consists of closing the Co. Rd. 13 and Co. Rd. 46 northbound entrance and exit ramps for reconstruction. When the Co. Rd. 46 ramps are closed, crews will have 20 working days &045; Monday through Saturday &045; to complete the work, weather permitting, MnDOT said. The entire project should be completed in November.

Ulland Brothers, Inc. of Albert Lea is the prime contractor for the $12 million improvement project.

MnDOT encourages motorists to slow down and stay alert while traveling through the work zone.

Motorists should expect delays on Highway 30 in Steele County beginning Monday, April 29.

A project near Ellendale will also cause some traffic changes. MnDOT is resurfacing Highway 30 from 0.3 miles west of Ellendale to 1 mile east of Steele Co. Rd. 45. During the day, flaggers will restrict traffic to a single lane.

Although access to Ellendale businesses will be maintained, in-town parking along Highway 30 will be restricted at various times. In addition, traffic will be detoured onto Co. Rd. 45 and Co. Rd. 3 when crews replace two culverts under Highway 30. That portion of the project is scheduled to begin April 29 and be completed in about one week.

Weather permitting; the entire project should be completed by late June, according to MnDOT.

MnDOT encourages motorists to slow down and stay alert in the construction zone.