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Minnesota

Request: Travel Advice for Visitors to Minneapolis Area
turboted 2 Reviews 722 reads
posted

I live outside Minneapolis and the State of Minnesota. I do not have an intuitive feel for making my way within the greater metropolitan area. Thus, I depend upon a Garmin GPS device to get me to a specific in-call location.

I made a visit to the Minneapolis area last weekend specifically for a visit with a provider. I had not been to the area for a period of time. Therefore, I was caught totally unprepared for road construction issues (i.e., closed exits) on a certain stretch of an Interstate highway (i.e., I-494).

I would appreciate any constructive advice from hobbyists or providers pertaining to how they plan and prepare for movement in the Minneapolis area via automobile.

For example, I believe there are some GPS units that are able to receive traffic updates in order to route a user around construction. Also, Minnesota's Department of Transportation has an Internet site detailing current road construction projects.  

Are there other options available? For example, I will sometimes input travel data on Rand McNally's Internet site to determine travel time and distance. A site such as Rand McNally's incorporating road construction projects might me ideal for planning efficient movement in areas with significant construction activity.

Note:  The session with the provider was fulfilled. However, I was at least 20 minutes late to the meeting.

brilove510 reads

First: now you know to give yourself at least 15 minutes extra time to get anywhere here.  

Second: ask the provider if she knows of any exits/highways to avoid. Sometimes you can input that into your gps.  

Lastly: just follow the detours or take the next exit and double back to exit. Often the exit coming from the other direction is open.  

Good Luck and enjoy our lovely state for all the other things we have to offer.  

Muah

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turboted300 reads

First Point:  Yes, you are correct. I certainly need to give myself extra time for travel issues. I was actually ahead of schedule for this meeting. However, I was not ahead of schedule far enough for this meeting.

Second Point:  Upon arriving at the provider's location, she mentioned that she was aware (perhaps from media reports) of the road construction issues on I-494. However, she was a visiting provider to the area. She probably knew just a little bit more than I did about travel conditions in the Bloomington area.

Third Point:  In my opinion, one of the inherent weaknesses of a GPS unit is that it will re-route a user back to opposite exit. In my situation, both exits were closed. Therefore, the GPS unit was of little use until I made my way on a side street some distance from the Interstate.

Good Luck! to you as well. Thank You!

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belindabell331 reads

It also gives me an option to avoid any portion of the route.  It will then recalculate a new route.  
I would try either or both of these options

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ogglesby11360 reads

Search MnDOT on the Internet. They have a site which shows traffic and road issues. I should use it more routinely. I got caught in the same mess. Very frustrating.

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thumper6969274 reads

byt the MN DOT
Camera, up to date road reports
traffic speeds

thinking it was free

major time saver when I'm trolling for pussy

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sirbucky328 reads

We had as many as 12 detours on a recent weekend, unprecented. Many projects are finally coming to an end but avoid 694 on north end. Also, weekends are worst than weekdays since they can't close freeways during the week.

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turboted264 reads

Yes, I felt that the traffic situation last weekend was unprecedented. The in-call location I needed to reach was in Bloomington. I stopped at a TCF branch prior to the meeting for the necessary funds. The bank clerk remarked that the entire city of Bloomington was "tore up." Leaving the appointment (and Bloomington) was even worse than the arrival. One lane traffic on the detour went for miles. It took me an extra hour to reach home after leaving the meeting.

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