Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Highway 4

St. James to Sleepy Eye

About this project

The Hwy 4 project between St. James and Sleepy Eye includes roadway, bridge, and drainage improvements.  In addition to resurfacing approximately 25 miles of roadway, three bridges will be replaced.

Construction was delayed from 2023 until 2024 as MnDOT worked closely with Brown and Watonwan counties to determine various needs on Hwy 4, and the desire by local partners to achieve a 10-ton route.

Summary of work

  • Resurface roadway
  • Replace the span bridge over the Big Cottonwood River
  • Replace the bridge at Butterfield Creek, north of St. James
  • Replace the bridge (box culvert) south of Sleepy Eye
  • Repair drainage pipes and culverts
  • Add rumble strips and update guardrail

Benefits

  • Smoother road surface
  • Improved drainage
  • Increased safety

Traffic impacts

Traffic will be detoured during construction:

Hwy 60 project

Highway 4 detour map (click for larger view)

Detour maps:
- Hwy 4 detour map (July 31 to mid-Aug.)
- Hwy 4 detour map (mid-Aug. to early Oct.)