Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Highway 71 Bemidji

Highway 71 Bemidji: Stage 2, Phase 1 continues next week

Crews continue paving operations on Highway 71 southbound lanes.

Crews are currently working on Stage 2, Phase 1. Construction on the project began May 16.

Construction update, June 10

What's happening now?

• Pavement removals:
• Hwy 71 southbound lanes
• Anne St west of the intersection
• Southbound on/off ramps at Irvine Ave
• Shoulder widening at Winter Sumac Rd
• Roundabout construction at Anne St
• Median/intersection reconstruction along the rest of the corridor

This is what's next (beginning week of June 13, weather permitting)

• Continue with the current Stage 2, Phase 1 construction activities

Traffic Impacts:

• Hwy 71:
  • Southbound lanes closed
    • Single lane, head-to-head traffic on northbound lanes
    • Southbound traffic cannot access the Irvine Ave on/off ramps
      • Detour routes include Glidden Rd and Lakewood Dr, dependent on work at those intersections. Signs will be posted directing traffic 

• Temporary bypass lane is open. It allows for Hwy 71 traffic to bypass the roundabout construction at Anne St 
• Slow down and expect delays

• Anne St:
  • East and west legs are closed at Hwy 71, detour onto Fern St
  • Access to Laurel Dr is closed, detour onto Bardwell Dr
• Lakewood Dr:
  • Northbound access closed at Hwy 71. Access via Irvine Ave and Fairgrounds Rd/Jon Ave from the north
• Winter Sumac Rd: 
  • Shoulder work at Winter Sumac Rd, expect delays
• Hwy 197:
  • Temporary westbound lane closure at Hwy 71, expect delays 
• Access to all businesses will be maintained through the duration of the project
• Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes when possible
• 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 on Wednesday, June 15, time TBD. 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

www.mndot.gov/d2/projects/hwy71-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) for this event, please email your request to Janet Miller at ADArequest.dot@state.mn.us or call 651-366-4720.}