Friends and neighbors –
As most of you are aware, a recent rash of accidents on a stretch of Interstate 35 undergoing construction has claimed four lives and hospitalized eight people since mid-July.
The State Patrol says there have been nine crashes on this 10-mile section 35, where crews are working to improve ramps and bridges and repave the highway. This road work requires the highway to be reduced to just one lane in each direction through the fall, and again next spring.
News reports match what I have heard directly from folks around the district – many people have told me they are avoiding I-35 altogether because they fear for their safety driving through the construction zone. With over 36,000 vehicles using this section of I-35 every day on average, most drivers have managed to navigate it without incident. However, that high volume of traffic combined with lane shifts and reductions is a recipe for problems.
That is why we must all remain vigilant and take these critical steps to prevent any more tragedies.
First and foremost, drivers must stay alert and reduce speed when traveling through construction zones. These lower speed limits are in place for a reason – to give motorists more time to react to sudden stops, lane shifts, and workers on the roadway. We also need to increase our following distance and pay extra careful attention to the road and signs. Avoid distractions so you are ready to respond to changing conditions.
I have been in regular contact with the State Patrol and MnDOT officials about this surge of crashes, and I will continue working with the experts on potential solutions to improve safety throughout that stretch of highway.
In the meantime, I urge anyone traveling through that stretch of highway to be extra cautious. The four individuals who lost their lives are not just statistics – they were real people with families who are now grieving their loved ones. It is heartbreaking that these fatal accidents could have been prevented, but now we must do all we can to avoid further loss of life. We should take their tragic deaths as a call to action for all of us to improve road safety through our own driving habits.
Contact me:
If you have any questions about any issues we are working on at the legislature, feel free to contact me any time at sen.john.jasinski@senate.mn or 651-296-0284.
And you can always get the latest news from St. Paul on my Facebook page at fb.com/SenatorJohnJasinski.
It is a privilege to serve you!