Drivers in the area are encouraged to follow road signs and adhere to reduced speed limits during the construction of rest areas. | GettyImages
Drivers in the area are encouraged to follow road signs and adhere to reduced speed limits during the construction of rest areas. | GettyImages
The Straight River Rest Area has reopened following construction, which has been ongoing since this August, according to a press release from the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
The rest area is located south of Owatonna on southbound Interstate 35. During the construction, several improvements were made, including repaving existing parking lots, reconstructing sidewalks and upgrading parking lot lighting systems to increase safety and convenience.
The contractor for the construction was Ulland Brothers and the project cost an estimated $2 million. The rest area serves hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, and was badly in need of renovation and improvement in the parking area and other outdoor elements of the stop. This rest area was not the only one improved during this project, which included rest areas at Heath Creek, Oakland Woods, Hayward and Albert Lea.
While the Straight River Rest Area construction is now complete, other rest areas have not yet concluded. The state government would like to remind drivers to exercise caution while driving through construction areas and follow signage and speed limits.
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