Closures planned at I-90 rest areas for repairs

Published 3:00 pm Saturday, August 2, 2014

Two Interstate 90 rest areas east of Albert Lea will have temporary daytime closures beginning Tuesday as construction crews repair the highway ramps and parking lots, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The two rest areas are the Hayward Rest Area, which serves eastbound traffic at milepost 162 about three miles east of the junction of Interstates 35 and 90, and Oakland Woods, which serves westbound traffic at milepost 171 about 11 miles east of the I-35 and I-90 junction in southern Minnesota.

Work is expected to begin Tuesday at the Oakland Woods Rest Area. The rest area will be closed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., each day during the work and will re-open each afternoon. Work, weather permitting, is expected to shift Aug. 11 to the Hayward Rest Area with the same schedule of closure from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the work each day. Work is expected to be completed by Aug. 15.

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Currently, the rest areas only offer limited services because of construction to remodel and improve accessibility. Temporary, portable toilets will be available to travelers, but there is no running water. Parking will be restricted to the truck parking lot during the construction work. Both rest areas are being remodeled and improvements are being made for traveler accessibility. The work is expected to be completed this month.