Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Hwy 10, 29 and 71—Wadena construction

Wadena and Otter Tail counties

Know before you go: check 511mn.org

Current impacts

Off-road work to occur year-round. All traffic impacts are tentative and weather dependent.

Project work areas on Hwy 10, 29 and 71 in Wadena.
Project work areas for 2025-2027 construction. Off-road work to occur year round on this project. Select map image to enlarge (PNG)

Hwy 71 detour

July 7 to late August

Road closed to through traffic between Hwy 10 and Juniper Ave. in Wadena to work on underground utilities, reconstruct the road, remove the pedestrian tunnel at the old hospital and update sidewalks.

  • Detour: Hwy 10, Co. Rd. 20 and Juniper Ave. (PNG)
    • Temporary all-way stop at the intersection of Co. Rd. 20 and Juniper Ave.

Hwy 10 detour

July 8 to late August

Road closed to through traffic between Hwy 71 and Otter Tail Co. Rd. 75 to excavate and replace poor soils, install drainage pipes, construct the roadway and pave final concrete pavement.

  • Detour: Hwy 71, Hwy 29 and Co. Rd. 75 (JPG)
    • Temporary signal at the intersection of Hwy 29 and Co. Rd. 75

Wadena is open

Access to those who live, work or visit areas along this project will be open and maintained at all times. However, expect changes:

  • Use of a side streets, alley or back/side entrances
  • Expect gravel surfaces or temporary entrances
  • Pedestrians will have sidewalk closures with detours (walk adjacent side of road)

2025 work

June-fall

2025 work zone areas map
Wadena:2025 work zone map on Hwy 10 and Hwy 71. Select map PNG to enlarge

June-fall

Hwy 10 west of Wadena Co. Rd. 20
  • Construct two lanes of new four-lane on west end
    • Replace underground structures, construct lanes, medians and entrances, includes north entrance/J-turn at Co. Rd. 75 and half of the roundabout at Co. Rd. 92 at the hospital
Hwy 10 east of Hwy 71
  • Off-road or shoulder work may occur

2025 work areas map (PNG)

Expect major construction on Hwy 10 west of Wadena at 620th Ave., Otter Tail County, to east of Wadena at Oink Joint Rd./140th St., Wadena County in 2025-2027.

Early June-fall

Hwy 71 north of Hwy 10
  • Reconstruct Birch Ave. N to Elm Ave. N
    • Reconstruct road and install underground storm sewer and other city utilities
    • Remove pedestrian tunnel at old hospital
    • Update or install sidewalk
  • Resurface Elm Ave. N to north of Alfred St.
    • Underground structures
    • Center left-turn lane to Alfred St.
    • Sidewalk/trail to Juniper Ave.
  • 2025 work areas map (PNG)
Hwy 71 south of Hwy 10
  • Off-road or shoulder work may occur
  • No work on mainline until 2026

Hwy 29 west of Hwy 71 in Wadena

  • No work on mainline until 2026
  • Off-road or shoulder work may occur