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June 2 Update

Highway 71 Bemidji 

Hwy 71 project: Stage 2, Phase 1 begins next week

Construction on the Hwy 71 project in Bemidji began Monday, May 16. Crews are currently working in Stage 1, Phase 3 of the project this week.

Construction update, June 2

What's happening now?

• Anne St. east is closed at Highway 71
• Motorists will utilize the detour of Fern St. and Minnkota Ave to access Anne St. from Highway 71
• Business access is maintained on Fern St. and Minnkota Ave. 
• Shoulder widening at Winter Sumac Rd.
• Replace culvert on Technology Dr.

Crews continue work on Anne street bypass lane.

Storm sewer work continues at Anne Street. Anne Street eastbound is closed at Highway 71. Motorists utilize detour onto Fern Street and Minnkota Avenue.

This is what's next (beginning week of June 6, weather permitting)

• Crews will begin work on Stage 2, Phase 1.
• The temporary bypass lane will be open. It allows for motorists on Hwy 71 to bypass the roundabout construction at Anne St. 
• Resurfacing on the Highway 71 southbound on and off ramps at Irvine Avenue.
• Resurface southbound lanes from Winter Sumac to Highway 197.
• Construction will continue in the medians throughout the project limits.

Traffic Impact:

• Anne Street:  east leg is closed at Highway 71. Motorist will utilize detour of Fern Street to Minnkota Ave.
• Hwy 71:
  
  • Southbound lanes will be closed.
  • Motorists will shift to head to head traffic on northbound lanes. 
  • Highway 71 southbound traffic will not be able to access the Irvine avenue off ramp. Detour routes include Glidden Rd. and Lakewood Dr., dependent on construction at those intersections. Signs will be posted directing traffic.
  • Expect delays.
• Hwy 197: Temporary lane closures on Hwy 197 westbound lanes at Hwy 71 intersection. Expect delays. 
• Winter Sumac Rd.: Shoulder work at Winter Sumac Rd., expect delays. 
• Motorists are encouraged to find an alternate route when possible during construction.

• Speed limits are reduced throughout the entire project, follow posted speed limit signs. 

Stay connected

• View staging maps, detour maps, and current traffic impacts on the project website www.mndot.gov/d2/projects/hwy71-bemidji
• Join the project staff at the weekly construction update meeting in person or virtually. The meetings will be held at the MnDOT building, 3920 Highway 2 West. The next meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 8, and the schedule may vary, so visit the project website for the upcoming schedule and virtual link
• Sign up for weekly project email updates on the project website
• Join the Northwest Minnesota Facebook group for news, events and updates
• Follow us on Twitter @mndotnorthwest for news, events and updates
• 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

Work zone reminder

• Slow down when approaching every work zone
• Never enter a roadway that has been blocked with barriers or cones
• Stay alert; watch for workers and slow-moving equipment
• Obey posted speed limits; fine for a work zone violation is $300
• Minimize distractions behind the wheel
• Be patient and expect delays, especially during peak travel times 

For more information on projects in northwest Minnesota, follow us on Facebook at https://facebook.com/groups/MnDOTnorthwest and Twitter at @mndotnorthwest. For real-time traffic and travel information in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org.

We will be sending these project updates each week. There’s plenty of ways to stay connected though, as the weekly public meetings occur every Wednesday throughout the project. Visit the project website to view staging/detour maps and refer to the stay connected section below for all of the ways to stay up to date as the project moves along this summer.

More about this project

Highway 71 Bemidji

^{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.}