Motorists will need to find alternate routes when 12th Avenue Northwest below the Interstate 90 Turtle Creek bridge in Austin is closed for bridge replacement work beginning today (July 27), according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Work will be completed this fall, weather permitting.

The Minnesota State Patrol will have extra law enforcement on duty to enforce speed limits near the project, asall fines are double in work zones.

According to Mn/DOT, the Turtle Creek bridge is one of four bridge replacements included in the “Bridges of Mower County” project, which is partially funded by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. For more information on the “Bridges of Mower County” project, visit www.dot.state.mn.us/designbuild/stimulus.html or call the project hotline at 1-866-230-5352.

Mn/DOT urges motorists to always drive with caution, slow down in work zones and never enter a roadway that has been blocked with barriers or cones. For statewide construction and travel information, visit www.511mn.org or call 5-1-1.