D3 - Hwy 210 (Washington St.) in Brainerd: 2026-2027 construction
 Update: reconstruct the mall segment
Crews launched construction on the future roundabouts in Brainerd on Monday, May 18.
 Lots of digging and truck hauling
Work over the next few weeks includes:
- Excavating mucky, poor soils and replacing them with sand to improve drainage and strengthen the road base; some areas reach nearly 25 feet deep
- Removing old road surfaces
- Install city utilities; sanitary sewers first, then the new watermain
- Relocating or removing signal systems, electrical cabinets, and street lighting
- Building earth embankments for the roundabout areas
- Grading and installing pipes
- Pumping and filtering groundwater
- Setting up and monitoring erosion control measures
 Digging deep to remove mucky materials and haul in new sand materials.
 Current work zone until early August
MnDOT continues to monitor the detour and local access routes and will adjust as needed. The work zone remains in place.
Mall Segment work zone map/detour on Hwy 210/Washington St. between 10th Ave. NE and Fifth Ave. NE.
Hwy 210 closed from 10th Ave. NE to Fifth Ave. NE in east Brainerd
Motorists
- Hwy 210 reduced to one lane in each direction around the closed work area via 10th Ave. NE and Hwy 25 (PNG). Temporary signal at 10th Ave. NE/Hwy 25.
- Local access remains open to the northeast neighborhood and mall area via Fourth Ave. NE and E St. NE.
- These streets have tight turns for semi-trucks, trailers, RVs and campers.
- School is out for summer vacation! Please be alert and watch the road for children out playing, walking and riding bikes, etc. Let's make it a fun and safe summer for everyone!
- Truck detour: Co. Rd. 3 closed at Hwy 210. Follow signs from Co. Rd. 3, Hwy 210 and Hwy 25 (PNG)
- Regional through detour options available to avoid roadwork. Follow signs (PNG) from Hwy 210 Baxter, Hwy 371, Business Hwy 371, Co. Rd. 117, Hwy 25, Hwy 18 and Co. Rd. 25 back to Hwy 210 east of Brainerd (PNG)
Pedestrians
- Expect sidewalk or trail closures; follow detour signs.
What's ahead
In early August, work will move west to the railyard segment between Fifth Ave. NE and Kingwood St. The Hwy 210 detour and work zone will change in town.
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Hi, I’m Babe! I’m here to bring a big Lakes Proud smile to your day while you travel through the Hwy 210 construction in Brainerd. I’ll be giving a big blue thumbs‑up on the best local streets to use, great places to shop, and fun events happening in Brainerd.
Want to stay in the loop? Visit the DRIVE 210 web page and read Babe's Blog.
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Babe the Blue Ox stopped in to visit the Brainerd Airport on May 27! Follow the DRIVE 210 Facebook page for future Babe Spotlight visits.
Drive 210 is a community campaign led by the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce and others who care about supporting Brainerd during Hwy 210 reconstruction.
 Building a Better Brainerd project
When all lanes reopen on Washington St./Hwy 210 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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