Motorists can expect nighttime closures along U.S. Highway 52 and U.S. Highway 63 beginning Sunday as crews begin cleaning more than 30 bridges.
Overnight crews will begin the springtime cleaning of bridges on a stretch of U.S. 52 from 55th Street Northwest to the interchange with U.S. 63 south. Work also will be done on the bridge on U.S. Highway 63 at 40th Street South. The work runs through 6 a.m. Thursday.
Drivers can expect lane closures and flaggers at some bridges. Minnesota Department of Transportation crews will use fresh water in high-pressure pumps to clean off the bridges. During the cleaning process, workers will be doing a visual inspection of the bridges and looking for damage that may have occurred from traffic during the winter months. Sand and other material that has accumulated over winter will be swept up prior to the rinsing.
"We ask that motorists pay attention to the warning signs and lights to make sure we all get home safely," said Larry Waletzki, MnDOT bridge maintenance supervisor in Rochester. "Motorists will see crews doing this work to make sure the bridges are well-maintained and last for a long time."
