Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

News releases

April 2, 2024

Latest news releases

Road construction to begin April 15 in Pelican Rapids
Closures start on Highway 59 between Pelican River bridge and Fourth Avenue SE

DETROIT LAKES, Minn.—Starting Monday, April 15, weather permitting, road construction will begin on Highway 59 in Pelican Rapids for the two-year complete streets reconstruction project, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Crews will begin installing detour signs and other traffic control devices, and work will begin on Stage 1A of the project, between the Pelican River bridge and Fourth Avenue Southeast.

MnDOT will host a public open house on Tuesday, April 16, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Pelican Rapids Public Library, located at 25 W. Mill. No formal presentation planned, stop in whenever it’s convenient to ask questions and meet the construction team.

Pelican Rapids businesses will remain open during construction. Residents, patrons and other in-town traffic will follow signed detours on local roads for navigation in-town.  
For Highway 59 and Highway 108 thru-traffic and trucks, depending on direction:

  • To/from north or south on Highway 59 or west on Highway 108: use Highway 34, County Road 23/113 to Hwy 108 west, County Road 21, County Road 28
  • To/from north on Highway 59 or to/from Highway 108 east to north: County Road 4 to County Road 41
  • To/from south on Highway 59 or to/from Highway 108 east to south: County Road 3, County Road 24, County Road 41

The Highway 59 and 108 reconstruction project will be constructed in stages over two years. In 2024, April through October, crews will focus on Highway 59, which includes resurfacing, constructing the two roundabouts at the intersections of Highway 108 east and west, shared-use path, sidewalk upgrades and replacing city utilities. Then in Spring 2025, work will resume on the west and east legs of Highways 108.

Landwehr Construction, Inc., based out of St. Cloud, Minn., is the prime contractor for the $22.8 million project. For more information and to sign up for project email updates, visit the project website at mndot.gov/d4/projects/pelicanrapids/ .

All construction activities and traffic impacts are weather dependent and subject to change. MnDOT urges motorists to always be attentive, drive with caution and slow down in work zones where workers are present.

For real-time traffic and travel information in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org or get the free smartphone app at Google Play or the App Store.

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