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 Highway 71 Bemidji
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Crews continue work along the medians on the Highway 71 corridor in the final stage of the project. Both northbound and southbound lanes are open, however inside lanes are closed for median construction. All medians (J-turns) will be constructed and be impassible until early October.
Traffic will not be able to cross Highway 71 while construction is underway. Motorists will utilize the signed detours, Irvine Avenue ramps or the Anne Street roundabout, depending on their location.
- Example- motorists wanting to turn south out of Lakes Concrete will turn north on Hwy 71 and utilize the Irvine Avenue ramps to turn south on Hwy 71.
What's happening now?
- Median/intersection reconstruction along the corridor
- Landscaping and permanent signage at Anne Street
- Median paving
- Overhead sign installation near the Anne Street roundabout
- Remove temporary pavement
- Complete drainage pond near Anne Street
- Landscaping throughout the corridor
This is what's next (weather permitting)
- Additional pavement markings at the roundabout
- Rumble strips and pavement markings throughout the corridor
- Turf establishment
- Light pole installation
- Equipment removal
- Construction sign removal
- Project remains on schedule to be complete early October
- For more information on how to navigate a roundabout, please visit the MnDOT website.
 Traffic Impacts:
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Hwy 71:
- Medians are currently closed, utilize Irvine Avenue ramps or Anne Street roundabout (depending on location) for cross traffic on Highway 71
- Once paving and sign installation are complete at the medians, there will be intermittent closures through mid-October
- Slow down and expect delays
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Anne St:
- All four legs of the roundabout are now open
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Winter Sumac Rd:
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Hwy 71/197:
- Lane closure at Hwy 71 northbound off of Hwy 2, 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
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.
www.mndot.gov/d2/projects/hwy71-bemidji
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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. |
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