St. Michael and Albertville areas are the only part of the metro categorized as "difficult driving" by the Minnesota Department of Transportation this morning.
The morning after a winter blizzard dropped more than a foot of snow around St. Michael and Albertville, the morning commute could be slow and dangerous in the area. The conditions are "fair driving" for the rest of the metro.
The unofficial snowfall total recorded by the National Weather Service for the STMA area is 12.7 inches.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation driving conditions map shows Interstate 94 in the St. Michael and Albertville area as "difficult driving," along with Highway 241 in St. Michael. I-94 past Rogers and continuing eastbound is "fair driving," as is much of the rest of the metro.
MnDOT reports stalled vehicles on I-94 eastbound between exit 195, Wright County Road 75, and exit 201 Wright County Road 19, northwest of St. Michael, as of 5:44 a.m.
St. Michael-Albertville Schools will begin two hours late this morning because of the winter storm.
WCCO AM Radio reported this morning that St. Michael to Rogers has one of the worst road delays in the Twin Cities right now.
Check back for more traffic and weather updates, and any possible changes on school start time.
If you spot any crashes, stalls or other incidents in the area, let us know in the comments below!
And who should finance your desire to go to downtown Minneapolis? Very few commuters from St Michael/Albertville work downtown. Perhaps a better option (if a shorter commute time is your primary priority) is for you to live in a location where it is shorter. If you moved out in this area -- you already knew (or should have known) that driving to Minneapolis would be a challenge - even on the best of days.
I wonder where are you getting your facts? I can say I personally know 10 people that work downtown. I also know that I am aware of 40% of the bus I ride everyday has people form the STMA area.
You can name a 1000 people and it still wouldnt justify the price of a public system that goes all the way out to St Michael. So instead of complaining about there not being one -- how about working together with those 10 people (or more) that you know go downtown and arranging for car pools to Maple Grove or Elk River? Again, if you moved out to this area - knowing that there wasnt bus service - and it's a big challenge to you - why did you move out here?
And I've been all over the country (not just behind a keyboard) -- only those cities that have high density have a public transportation system that "works" (NYC, Boston come to mind). And even those come at huge taxpayer subsidies per ride.
I was outside for at least as long as that reveling in the fresh snow....and have lived here for much longer than you. I came out here to enjoy true exurban living -- and not dependent on the likes of the Met Council or subsidizing others for their choices. No need for me to check the facts - the Northstar line is losing millions on top of the huge upfront cost. And no ... I chose not to insult you even though your posting shows you dont follow that rule.
What is a fact is that the Northstar line is losing millions and bus service from St Michael to anywhere else but perhaps Elk River or Maple Grove isnt going to happen.
In your future posting try not to make blanket statements that are not true. (Very few commuters from St Michael/Albertville work downtown)
1) When will the Hiawatha line be profitable? its been in operations for over a decade and it continues to bleed massive red ink. And that is on sections of the metro that has the greatest opportunity for "profitable" ridership. I'll wager every dollar I have that the Northstar line will not be profitable in 15 years.....20 years...50 years. 2) Since you seem to have a handle on how many commuters from STMA area work downtown -- please tell me. I'm listening. 3) If a bus -- which has much greater transportation flexibility in routes driven isnt feasible for this area....please tell me why the limits of rail will satisfy the transportation needs?