The Minnesota Department of Transportation reminds motorists that at this hour Interstate 35 is closed from Owatonna to the Iowa border and Interstate 90 is closed west of Highway 52 near Rochester to Albert Lea, because of poor driving conditions with blowing and drifting snow. Additionally, most highways in southeast Minnesota continue with a No Travel Advisory, which means conditions are poor or impassable. Motorists are encouraged to stay off the highways while snowplows continue to work.

MnDOT snowplow crews have opened a number of highways on Monday and continue to work toward opening I-35 and I-90 as soon as they can ensure safe travel through the heavily drifted portions of the road. The road opening will appear on MnDOT’s road conditions map at www.511mn.org, via news release, Twitter and Facebook when those roads are opened.

Road closure devices may include barricades, flashing lights or gates lowered across the roadway. They inform motorists the road is not safe for travel. Their only option is to turn around and get off the road quickly. The decision to close a highway is made by MnDOT, with input from local law enforcement and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

Other SE Minnesota highways that remain closed at this hour include:

• Highway 63 from Lake City to Zumbro Falls
• Highway 56 between Hampton and Dodge Center
• Highway 30 from Rushford to Highway 74
• Highway 30 between New Richland and Blooming Prairie
• Highway 250 between Lanesboro and Highway 30
• Highway 43 south of Rushford to Highway 44
• Highway 218 between Austin and the Iowa border
• Highway 105 between Austin and the Iowa border
• Highway 69 between Albert Lea and the Iowa border

Additionally, MnDOT has issued a No Travel Advisory for most remaining highways in southeast Minnesota.

Highways will reopen and the advisory will be lifted when conditions improve. Check MnDOT’s road conditions map for all advisories at www.511mn.org