Travel alert covering southeast N.D. extended to north central, northeast part of state

The North Dakota Department of Transportation has extended the Travel Alert to north central and northeast North Dakota due to areas of heavy snow and blowing snow causing reduced visibility and snow covered roadways with areas of scattered drifts.

This includes the cities of Minot, Devils Lake, Grand Forks and surrounding areas. Conditions are such that motorists can still travel in these areas, but should be advised that challenging winter driving conditions may exist. Motorists are encouraged to reduce speeds and drive according to the conditions.

A Travel Alert is still in effect for southeast North Dakota including the cities of Jamestown, Ellendale, Valley City, Fargo, Wahpeton and surrounding areas due to areas of heavy snow causing snow covered roadways and reduced visibility.

For road information, call 511 from any type of phone or go to the website: www.dot.nd.gov.

NDDOT releases information to inform the public about travel conditions throughout the state. The three categories are as follows:

1. Travel alerts are issued to alert motorists that areas of challenging winter driving conditions may be encountered on roadways. Conditions are such that motorists can still travel; however, they should be aware that rapidly changing conditions may result in travel delays due to reduced speeds and visibility.

2. No-travel advisories are issued when conditions warrant no travel but not a road closure. No Travel Advisories have the potential to change to a Road Closure if conditions deteriorate. No-travel advisories are issued for public safety to encourage motorists not to venture out onto the roads. Motorists should take no-travel advisories seriously. Conditions change often during a storm event and motorists may become stranded if they are caught between destinations.

3. Roads are closed when conditions create a life-threatening danger to motorists. The roadway is impassable and it is against the law to drive past a road closure device on a closed road. Motorists should obey road closures, even when a sign or a gate is not present.

Road condition information on 511 and the travel map is updated daily from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. CST. 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.

Tags: news, updates, snow, travel