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2021 Construction:
Hwy 87 Frazee to Becker/Wadena County Line

Construction underway for Highway 87 project

Thanks again for signing up to receive email updates about MnDOT’s projects on Highway 87. These emails will provide the latest progress reports, including upcoming work, staging updates, traffic changes, and more.

On Monday, May 3, Highway 87 closed to thru-traffic between Frazee and Menahga as crews got started on the reconstruction project. Until the project is complete in October, the road will remain closed between County Road 29/Birch Avenue in Frazee to Highway 71 in Menahga. The detour follows County Road 29/Birch Avenue in Frazee, Highway 34 and Highway 71.

Notes for locals

Local traffic on the east end of the project: If you live in Menahga, you will be able to access Highway 87 in town. The barricades are up at Highway 71 to ensure thru-traffic follows the detour. The work zone itself starts further west at the county line.

Local traffic on the west end of the project: If you live in Frazee, you will be able to access Highway 87 in front of the school up to North River Drive. The work zone begins at North River Drive. When the bridge replacement starts at the Otter Tail River, Highway 87 will be impassable at the bridge site.

Mailbox relocations: If you live on Highway 87, mailbox relocations will begin this week. Watch for a note in your mailbox from the postmaster regarding relocation plans and instructions. Contact your local post office with questions. 

Construction Update

When we communicate about this project, we’ll break down the 26-miles of work into two sections:

• Section 1: Becker/Wadena County Line to Evergreen
• Section 2: Evergreen to Frazee

This week, most of the work is taking place in Section 1, starting near the Becker/Wadena County line. Reclaiming and centerline culvert work in this area has started. Crews have started reclaiming and paving at the county line, moving west. At some of the culvert sites throughout Section 1, they have removed the pavement, so local traffic will encounter loose gravel in these areas.

Next week, additional operations will begin in Section 2. Crews will start shoulder widening, starting in Evergreen, working west.

Important reminder: Highway 87 is an active work zone. If you do not have a destination along Highway 87, follow the detour or find an alternate route. Access will be maintained for residents and businesses, but flaggers are controlling traffic in areas where crews are working so expect to encounter lane closures, periodic stops and delays.

Photo 1 caption: A sheepsfoot roller makes a pass across the reclaiming material to ensure the roadway base is well compacted before paving can begin. 

Photo 2 caption: Existing centerline culvert pipes are removed for replacement. This work is being done half-at-a-time, to ensure a lane stays open for passing equipment (like the roller shown here) and other vehicles. 

Photo 3 caption: View of the eastern end of the Highway 87 project as work begins at the Becker/Wadena County Line. 

Upcoming schedule

• Continue milling, reclaiming, paving and culvert work in Section 1 (Becker/Wadena County Line to Evergreen)
• Begin shoulder widening in Section 2 (Evergreen to Frazee)

More information

For more detailed project information visit the project website.

^{MnDOT invites and encourages participation by all. If you need an ASL, a foreign language interpreter, or other reasonable accommodation, or need documents in an alternative format (such as braille or large print), please email your request to Janet Miller at ADArequest.dot@state.mn.us or call 651-366-4720.}