The calendar might say that autumn starts, but road construction season is not over. A project has started on I-35 that could last until October 21.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced that a high tension cable barrier is being installed between mile markers 21 and 31 south of Owatonna. Southbound Interstate 35 will have the left lane closed through about October 21. Work is not scheduled for the weekends however, so both lanes should be open beginning Fridays at 2PM.

MnDOT says in their news release that high tension cables can reduce fatal crashes by 95 percent. When a vehicle hits the cable, it flexes to absorb the energy of the vehicle and prevents it from crossing the median into oncoming traffic. The posts that hold the cable will break when struck, but those are fairly quick to repair. Cable barriers are also less expensive than permanent concrete barriers.

The 9.2 mile stretch of the freeway runs from north of Ellendale to south of Geneva. Delays are possible and motorists should allow for extra time during busy travel times.

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