MnDOT conducts aerial photography in west central Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is asking residents not to disturb aerial photography targets as crews begin aerial mapping in Clay, Grant, Mahnomen, Otter Tail and Traverse counties.

Aerial mapping will take place in the following locations:

• Highway 113 from Waubun to the west Mahnomen County Line

• Highway 10 and 75 in Moorhead

• Highway 10 from Trunk Highway 9 to Hawley

• Highway 10 from Perham to New York Mills

• Highway 55 from Elbow Lake to Barrett

• Highway 108 between Interstate 94 and Pelican Rapids

• Highway 59 between Interstate 94 and Pelican Rapids

• Highway 210 from Henning to Hewitt

• Highway 75 between Graceville and Dumont

The aerial survey process relies on clear observations, and must be conducted after the snow has melted and before the trees leaf out. To begin the process crews place an "X" on the ground as a reference point for the aerial photographer. Weather permitting, work will begin the week of April 1.

Aerial mapping is used to create a record of existing infrastructure and landscape along MnDOT right of way for transportation planning and highway design. In order to obtain accurate aerial mapping, MnDOT crews paint large white "X" targets on paved surfaces, and place plastic or fabric "X" targets on unpaved surfaces.

A survey crew then records the coordinate position and elevation of the temporary targets for the aerial photography company. The plastic and fabric targets are temporary and will be removed when the photography is completed.

MnDOT requests that landowners not remove or disturb the targets, if possible, until the photography is completed. If a target must be moved, please contact the District 4 survey office at 218-332-5644 or by email at jeremy.erickson@state.mn.us .