Mon, Mar 11th, 2024 - 5:00am
December 29, 2019 - 11:59pm | By Chris Larson
Photo Courtesy of North Dakota Department of Transportation
The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) along with the North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP) are warning motorists not to use their GPS to get around road closures by using secondary state highways that are under a no travel advisory. These state highways may quickly become blocked or impassable especially during the overnight hours when snow plows are not present in rural areas. Plowing will resume in the early morning and the travel map will be updated at that time.
I-29 CLOSED northbound and southbound lanes from the South Dakota border to the Canadian border.
I-94 CLOSED eastbound and westbound lanes from Bismarck to Fargo.
A No Travel Advised remains in effect for portions of southeastern, south central, and northeastern North Dakota due to snow and drifting snow creating reduced visibility and hazardous driving conditions. Cities included are Linton, Jamestown, Valley City, Cooperstown, Michigan, Devils Lake, Carrington, Pekin, New Rockford, Grand Forks, Fargo, Wahpeton, Ellendale, and surrounding areas.
The three categories are as follows:
1. TRAVEL ALERT – Motorists can still travel but may encounter areas of challenging winter weather driving conditions on roadways. Motorists should allow extra time to reach their destination and be alert to conditions that may make travel difficult, change rapidly, or cause travel delays. A TRAVEL ALERT has the potential to change to a NO TRAVEL ADVISED if conditions deteriorate.
2. NO TRAVEL ADVISED – Motorists should not travel due to hazardous conditions which may make it unsafe to travel. Snowplows may be pulled from the roads during severe conditions. Motorists should take NO TRAVEL ADVISED seriously as those motorists who choose to travel at their own risk may become stranded and emergency responders may not be able to reach them safely. A NO TRAVEL ADVISED has the potential to change to a ROAD CLOSED OR BLOCKED if conditions deteriorate.
3. ROAD CLOSED OR BLOCKED – Motorists are not allowed to travel on a closed road due to life threatening conditions. The road may be impassible or blocked. Motorists who drive past a road closure device may be fined up to $250.
