Hwy 61 Lake City to Red Wing construction and detours begin July 5
LAKE CITY, Minn. – Highway 61 motorists should prepare for detours north of Lake City and south of Red Wing to begin on July 5, when crews are scheduled to resurface the highway, add passing lanes and realign some intersections, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Approximately 10 miles of Highway 61 from Lake City to Red Wing will be resurfaced in a mill and overlay process, which will provide a smoother road surface and extend the life of the highway. Pedestrian and motorist safety will also be improved when crews update pavement markings. The project is scheduled to be completed Oct. 25.
Passing lanes will be added in both directions near Frontenac to reduce congestion and allow for safer passing between Lake City and Red Wing. Bypass lanes will be created by turning the intersection at the western end of 296th Street into a cul-de-sac.
Other areas of the highway will be improved by realigning some intersections to increase visibility, widening the road in multiple places to accommodate a bike lane, upgrading guardrails and completing bridge maintenance.
Traffic Impacts
The following detours are scheduled to be lifted mid-September and then flagging operations will be used to direct traffic during the remainder of the project.
- The Ski Road and Highway 61 intersection will be closed first until passing lane construction has completed. Then, the Ski Road/Hill Avenue and Highway 61 intersection will close until intersection reconstruction is completed.
- Motorists will use County Road 5 in Lake City and Highway 58 in Red Wing for Highway 61 through traffic to detour around the project site.
- A County Road 2 detour in Frontenac will allow access for residents and businesses during construction. Motorists must travel northbound on Highway 61 from Lake City to access Hansen’s Harbor. Business signage for the harbor will be included on Highway 61 in Lake City.
- Bicyclists following the Mississippi River Trail will follow the same detour routes as vehicles.
- Lanes of traffic will be shifted when repaving occurs on the roadway.
Project details can be found at the project website.
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