MnDOT advises no travel in northwest Minnesota as snow plows are pulled off area highways

BEMIDJI -- The Minnesota Department of Transportation no travel advisement in northwestern Minnesota has been expanded to include Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard and northern Cass counties.

MnDOT snowplows have been pulled off area highways for their own safety and motorists are recommended to avoid all unnecessary travel as blizzard conditions and dangerous winds have dramatically reduced visibility to less than 250 feet at times.

The advisory now includes the following counties:

· Beltrami

· Northern Cass County

· Clearwater

· Hubbard

· Kittson

Marshall

· Pennington

· Polk

· Red Lake

· Norman

The no travel advisement will remain in effect until conditions improve. Motorists should remember to:

Check road conditions at http://www.511mn.org or call 511; it takes time to get roads back to good driving conditions.

Be patient and remember snowplows are working to improve road conditions for your trip.

Stay back at least five car lengths behind the plow, far from the snow cloud.

Stay alert for snowplows that turn or exit frequently and often with little warning. They may also travel over centerlines or partially in traffic to further improve road conditions.

Slow down to a safe speed for current conditions. Snowplows typically move at slower speeds.

For additional tips on safe winter driving, go to http://www.mndot.gov/workzone.

For updated information on road conditions, visit http://www.511mn.org or call 511.