Contractor For MnDOT Forced To Relocate During Shutdown

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Now that there is a government shutdown and construction projects have been stopped, a Minnesota Department of Transportation worker is being told he now has to work six hours away from his home and family.

Brian Kelley works for a company that contracts with the state of Minnesota. He is one of thousands of construction workers off the job because of the government shutdown.

Now, his employer has no choice but to send him where the work is.

"They are going to send me to Kenosha, Wisconsin," Kelley said.

Kelley knows leaving his family for who knows how long will be hard, but he considers himself lucky. He will be working while dozens of people he has worked with at construction sites for years will be sitting at home, their futures uncertain.

"They count on construction season to be where they make their money and if they can't work 60 hours a week right now then it's really going to hurt them come winter time when they're laid off," said Kelley.

Kelley is optimistic, hoping word of possible talks between Gov. Mark Dayton and GOP leaders could bring about a budget agreement and state employees getting back to work.

He knows Dayton wants to raise taxes on the richest Minnesotans and Republicans would rather erase the shortfall through spending cuts.

"I can see both points of view, but it's just pretty frustrating if they are not even talking this weekend and all of us are trying to figure out what to do with our lives and they are not even meeting to resolve it," Kelley said.

Kelley says he will know more tomorrow about his new assignment and how long he could have to stay away from his family.