In August, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) launched a new site - www.511mn.org - that uses Google maps to provide expansive reports on all state roads. In the past, winter road conditions were reported by individual counties only.
"Counties vary... up in the Duluth area, it could be clear and the southern part could be blowing snow," said Kelly Kennedy Braunig, 511 travel information coordinator.
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Metro areas are usually sufficiently staffed with more to provide information, but only one or two people may be available in smaller counties, said Braunig.
"When it gets really busy, it's not like you can do it right away," she said. "As long as you listen to the radio or watch TV, this is just another option to give you to see what the particular road is going to be like."
On average, the site will be updated every four to eight hours and not at all during fine weather conditions. State troopers and MNDOT employees will provide information on road conditions from highways and snowplow routes.
The 511 site also offers indications of road closures, restrictions and lane closures, as well as future reports within a two-week period. Travelers can also check out a direct link to MNDOT's Twitter feed, which reports on accidents in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area.
The 511 phone service will also likely be switching to Verizon by the end of the month, which will offer drivers better reception on their cell phone.
But hopefully, the Web site will be the first place travelers check before heading out on the road, said Braunig.
"As word gets out, they'll see it's very beneficial," she said.
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