BISMARCK, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) along with the North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP) have CLOSED I-29 from Grand Forks to the Canadian Border due to snow and blowing snow which is creating near zero visibility and ditches full of water adding to the hazardous driving conditions. I-29 is now CLOSED from the Canadian Border to the South Dakota Line. Also I-94 CLOSED from Jamestown to Fargo and ND Highway 13 is CLOSED from I-29 to Wahpeton.
A No Travel Advisory is still in effect for east of Jamestown, Hillsboro, Valley City, Fargo, Casselton, Lisbon, Edgeley, Ellendale, Ashley, Wahpeton and surrounding areas due to snow and blowing snow which is creating near zero visibility and hazardous driving conditions.
Commercial Motor Vehicle parking is becoming LIMITED at the interstate closure points in eastern North Dakota. Commercial Motor Vehicles should consider stopping prior to closure points. Jamestown especially has limited truck park available and commercial trucks should consider stopping in Bismarck or Steele.
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.
All travelers are encouraged to monitor road conditions as weather conditions occur and use caution while traveling. For road information, call 511 from any type of phone or go to the Travel Information Map at www.dot.nd.gov. Please be advised that road condition information on 511 and the travel map is updated daily from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. CDT. The road report is based upon the information available to the NDDOT at the time of preparation and is provided solely as a public service. Conditions may vary from those reported.
News Release from North Dakota Department of Transportation.