D3 - Hwy 210 (Washington St.) in Brainerd: 2026-2027 construction
 Crews are ready to dig in!
This week you'll start seeing orange vests, cones and equipment as crews begin preparing the east and mall segments along Hwy 210/Washington St.
Work includes building temporary connections and preparing for detour routes that begin in mid-May. Be prepared for changes and periodic lane, shoulder or median closures.
The eastbound Hwy 210 to southbound Hwy 25 ramp will also close. Simply continue east to the signal to access Hwy 25/Eighth Ave. NE. Work zone map through mid-May (PNG)
 Watch a Hwy 210/Washington St. Construction Project Minute shared at the kick-off. Select Babe the Blue Ox to open (YouTube).
Recap: 2026 public kick-off event
MnDOT thanks those who visited with us at the Hwy 210/Washington St. construction kick-off open house on March 31. If you missed out, no worries—here's what we shared, plus it's available on the project web page:
 2026 work areas—East, Mall and Railyard. Select map to enlarge (PNG)
Work highlights
By late October 2026, you'll experience a better Brainerd on Hwy 210/Washington St. between Pine Shores Rd. and Kingwood St. after crews:
- Reconstruct the road, concrete medians and adjacent entrances between 10th Ave. NE and Kingwood St.
- Build two new Hwy 210 roundabouts at:
- Hwy 25/C St. (four legs)
- Mill Ave./Co. Rd. 3 (three legs)
- Install city watermain
- Remove the traffic signal at Fourth Ave. NE.
- Replace the traffic signal at 13th St. SE/Co. Rd. 45/Gillis Ave.
- Resurface from east of 10th Ave. NE to Pine Shores Rd.
- Update and install sidewalks and Cuyuna Trail connections
Schedule, traffic plans
 Mall work zone map. Select to enlarge from web page.
Mid-May to early August
Mall segment—5th Ave. NE to 10th Ave. NE
Hwy 210 closes and detours to all traffic between 10th Ave. NE and 5th Ave. NE. Both directions reduce to one lane and detour around the closed area via 10th Ave. NE and Hwy 25 (PNG)
- A temporary signal will be used to assist with traffic flow at 10th Ave. NE and Hwy 25
- Local access will be open to mall/Mill Ave. at Fourth Ave. NE signal and E St. NE
Regional and semi-truck detours to be available and signed (PNG)
Early August to late October
Railyard segment—Fifth Ave. E to Kingwood St.
 Railyard work zone map. Select to enlarge from web page.
Hwy 210 will close and detour to all traffic between Fifth Ave. NE and Kingwood St. Both directions reduce to one lane and detour (PNG):
- Eastbound Hwy 210: S Sixth St./Hwy 371B, Oak St., Hwy 25 back to Hwy 210
- Westbound Hwy 210: Hwy 25, Oak St., S Eighth St. back to Hwy 210
Temporary mini-roundabouts will be installed to assist with traffic flow at:
- Oak St. and SE 13th St./Co. Rd. 45
- Oak St. and S Eighth St.
Access to side streets as crews construct each intersection. Follow signs to the next access.
Regional and semi-truck detours to be available and signed (PNG)
Through late October
East segment—10th Ave. NE to Pine Shores Rd.
The Hwy 210 east segment will be completed by fall 2026. Multiple crews will be working on this project and this work will occur when it fits the contractor's schedule.
Each direction of Hwy 210 will be reduced to one lane in this segment. Expect lane shifts and possible flaggers.
Babe the Blue Ox is ready for construction!
Brainerd is open! Local access will remain open throughout the project, but travelers should anticipate changes and marked detours.
All information is tentative and subject to change.
More about this project
R.L. Larson Excavating is the prime contractor for the two-year, $46 million Washington St. improvement project in Brainerd. When all lanes reopen in fall 2027, it will bring safer travel, smoother traffic flow and dependable access — all while creating a better and more beautiful Brainerd.
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