MnDOT urges caution as crews remove trees in SE Minn along I-35

(ABC 6 News) – The Minnesota Department of Transportation will remove trees along I-35 in southeast Minnesota to slow the spread of the emerald ash borer.

Work has begun in the Owatonna area and will continue south on I-35 into Freeborn County. Maintenance crews with MnDOT will be working on areas adjacent to the highway and areas near exit and entrance ramps on I-35. Motorists should move over and slow down when encountering the work crews.

The trees are being removed to slow the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer ahead of the species’ flight season.

MnDOT continues to work with the Department of Agriculture to slow the spread of Emerald Ash Borer and other quarantined pests. Similar efforts have occurred elsewhere along MnDOT’s right of way, including in 2014 on Hwy 63 north of Interstate 90, which is south of Rochester.

To learn more about Emerald Ash Borer, go to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s website.