Additional road closures in SW Minnesota due to blizzard conditions

WILLMAR – Several additional highway closures are in place tonight in southwestern Minnesota.

The first round occurred around 8 p.m., and additional closures were put in place after 9:30 p.m. due to the continuing blizzard conditions. State plows were pulled from the highways at 6 p.m. and will try to resume this morning.

Motorists are advised not to travel until conditions improve and the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Minnesota State Patrol open the road.

MnDOT and the State Patrol have now closed the following highways in the region until further notice:

·Highway 7 from Montevideo to Highway 71

·Highway 19 from Marshall to Henderson

·Highway 23 from Willmar to Granite Falls

·Highway 67 from Highway 75 near Canby to Granite Falls

·Highway 71 from Willmar to Highway 14 near Sanborn

·Highway 212 from Granite Falls to Hector

Other closures are in place in south-central Minnesota as well.

MnDOT says motorists should plan accordingly. When a road is closed it is illegal to travel in that area. Motorists can be fined up to $1,000 and/or sentenced to 90 days in jail. In addition, if travelers need to be rescued from a closed road, other expenses and penalties will apply.

For updated information on road conditions, visitwww.511mn.orgor call 511.