Grand Forks, N.D. – The northbound stretch of I-29 from Grand Forks to the Canadian border has reopened as of 10:45 a.m. Saturday, January 17, following an overnight closure due to severe blizzard conditions. The North Dakota Highway Patrol originally announced the road closure at 11:50 p.m. on Friday, which was mirrored by the closure of the road in Canada.
Meanwhile, Highway 2 connecting East Grand Forks to Crookston was also reopened earlier at 10:30 a.m., according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). This highway had been shut down due to extremely poor visibility.
However, several highways in northwest Minnesota remain closed and are under no travel advisories, including:
– Highway 1: Warren to North Dakota
– Highway 11: Karlstad to North Dakota
– Highway 175: Hallock to North Dakota
MnDOT warns that “No Travel Advised” means visibility is significantly reduced, making travel extremely hazardous.
The recent weather has involved wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph, accompanied by light snow in counties along the Red River. A blizzard warning continues until noon Saturday, with dangerously low wind chills expected to reach around -40 degrees. There are concerns that additional winter weather could lead to new travel advisories and road closures later in the day.
Travelers are reminded of the seriousness of road closures. It is illegal to travel on closed roads, with potential fines reaching up to $1,000 and a maximum of 90 days in jail for offenders. Rescues from closed areas may incur further charges. MnDOT encourages motorists to maintain a safe distance—at least 10 car lengths—from snowplows, reduce their speed, turn on headlights, and avoid driving into snow clouds caused by the plows.
For updates on road conditions in North Dakota, travelers are advised to consult the NDRoads map, while Minnesota travelers can check 511mn.org for the latest travel information.