MOORHEAD, Minn. – West central Minnesota is set to receive a significant investment in winter safety on Interstate 94, with the U.S. Department of Transportation awarding $13,736,000 for the I-94 Blowing and Drifting Snow Control Project. The project, which will cover nearly 120 miles of the interstate between Moorhead and Alexandria, includes the installation of twenty-four miles of snow fences across 38 sites. This initiative aims to reduce snow traps along the economically vital I-94 corridor, enhancing safety, minimizing winter maintenance, and improving the reliability of this heavily traveled highway.
Senator Amy Klobuchar emphasized the importance of the project, stating, “I-94 is one of the most heavily used highways in our state, but its driving conditions can be impacted during winter storms. With this federal grant, the Minnesota Department of Transportation will install snow fences to reduce snow traps along the highway and ensure I-94 remains safe for drivers.” Senator Tina Smith echoed these sentiments, highlighting the need for safe travel during snowy conditions. She stated, “In Minnesota, we have to keep moving even when there’s snow, and this stretch of I-94 is notoriously unsafe in snowy conditions. This grant from the Federal Highway Administration will help keep Minnesotans safe on I-94.”
The funding for the project was secured through the USDOT Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) Grant program. PROTECT aims to enhance surface transportation resilience to natural hazards, including climate change and extreme weather events.
For more information, visit the Federal Highway Administration’s website.