Hwy 61 closure at Ski Road intersection near Frontenac begins July 20
LAKE CITY, Minn. – Hwy 61 will be closed at the Ski Road intersection starting Thursday, July 20 near Frontenac as crews construct passing lanes, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
The closure means people traveling from Red Wing to Frontenac on Hwy 61 will need to use the detour – Hwy 58 south of Red Wing to Goodhue County Road 5 east to Goodhue County Road 2.
Passing lanes will be added in both directions at the Hwy 61 and Ski Road intersection to reduce congestion and allow for safer passing. Construction is anticipated to be completed late-August, then Hwy 61 will close at the Ski Road/Hill Avenue intersection for passing lanes to be constructed at that location.
This work is part of the project that is resurfacing approximately 10 miles of Hwy 61 from Lake City to Red Wing. It also includes realigning some intersections to increase visibility, widening the road in multiple places to accommodate a bike lane, upgrading guardrails and completing bridge maintenance.
Construction near Hansen’s Harbor north of Lake City started July 5 and that work is estimated to be completed by early August. This area is closed – motorists can use the frontage road, east of Hwy 61, to access the Harbor and residential locations nearby. Wells Creek Bridge improvements started July 5 and are estimated to be completed mid-August. This area is closed to all traffic.
Traffic impacts
- Motorists who don't need to access properties in the work zone should use Goodhue County Road 5 in Lake City and Hwy 58 in Red Wing to detour around the project site.
- A Goodhue County Road 2 detour in Frontenac will allow access for residents and businesses as well as those trying to reach Frontenac State Park during construction.
- Bicyclists following the Mississippi River Trail will follow the same detour routes as vehicles.
Safety
Motorists may encounter lane closures or lane shifts, uneven road surfaces, equipment and other unexpected obstacles when driving near or through work zones. MnDOT advises motorists to:
- Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
- Go hands-free and minimize other distractions (e.g., don’t eat or drink while driving).
- Follow posted speed limits; the fine for speeding in a work zone is $300.
- Avoid making lane changes within work zones.
Stay connected, informed
- Learn more about the Hwy 61 project, and check out other MnDOT southeast Minnesota construction projects and sign up for updates.
###