Flood closes roads, spurs legislative response

Commuters in the southwest Metro have work to do just getting to their jobs Thursday morning. Here's a round-up of road closures there and other parts of the state.

Hwy 41 bridge over the Minnesota River at Chaska Highway 101 near Shakopee. Highway 62 from Fulda to Windom.

A section of Highway 22 between Mankato and St. Peter.

Highway 19 from Highway 169 to Henderson.

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Highway 93 from Highway 169 to Henderson.

Highway 93 from Highway 169 into LeSueur.

The northbound lane of Highway 169 between St. Peter and LeSueur.

The Union Pacific Railroad plans to take the railroad crossing signals out of service on Highway 99 near St. Peter and nearby flood-prone roads due to the expected flooding of the Minnesota River.

So many rivers are expected to rise around Minnesota that legislators are taking a look at taking bond money to help prevent flooding and help damaged communities recover. Bonding committees met Wednesday to consider taking $55 million out of the bonding pool to help pay for levee projects and repairing damaged roads after the waters recede. The committees plan to distribute that money to cities, townships and watershed districts across the state. Local officials told legislators they will need help paying for projects that protect homes, crops and infrastructure.