Road construction season begins, plan ahead

BRAINERD — Construction season is here and the Minnesota Department of Transportation notes there are upcoming state road and bridge projects that may cause delays to commutes in central Minnesota.

To “know before you go” MnDOT recommends checking 511mn.org for updates.

Contributed / MnDOT

Top projects with impacts in Central Minnesota include:

Highway 25 — Monticello: Early July to late October.

Resurface and update the Highway 25 bridge over the Mississippi River. Major impacts. One-lane traffic, each way, 24-7, at the bridge. Consider an alternate Mississippi River crossing between Highway 10 and I-94.

Highway 10 and Highway  23 — St. Cloud interchange: Through late October.

Reconstruct and improve the Highway 10 and Highway 23 interchange area in east St. Cloud, Benton County, includes the road surface, bridges, drainage structures, pedestrian and motorist access. One lane, each direction, 24-7, through the work zone.

Highway 23 — Milaca to Ogilvie: Mid-May to late October.

Resurface and improve 12 miles of Highway 23 from Milaca to east of Ogilvie, includes shoulders and underground drainage structures and updates to access. Project requires detours.

Highway 169 — Aitkin to north of Hassman: Through late October.

Reconstruct 11 miles of road surface, widen shoulders and upgrade drainage infrastructure. Major impacts: Project requires detours so add time onto commutes or seek other routes.

Highway 169 — Milaca to Princeton: Early July to late October.

Resurface both directions of Highway 169, replace pipes and reconstruct the access at Highway 169 and Mille Lacs County Road 8 in Pease (J-turn). Work will require detours. Expect lane closures in each direction.

Highway 169 — Redefine Elk River freeway: Early April to late October.

Construct freeway, includes four new interchanges that will improve traffic flow, increase capacity and improve motorist and pedestrian safety. In 2024, crews will construct the final interchange at Main Street. Expect one lane, each direction, 24-7, through the work zone.

I-94 Gap — Albertville to Monticello: Late July to mid-November.

Expand Interstate 94 to three lanes in each direction between Albertville and Monticello, Wright County, includes drainage and bridges. Prep work in 2024 — periodic lane closures at off-peak hours. Construction in 2025–2026.

MnDOT notes all construction information and traffic impacts are subject to change and urges the traveling public to watch for work zones year-round.

“MnDOT employees maintain our state bridges and roads year-round and drivers are asked to pay attention for work zones, workers and heavy moving equipment,” MnDOT stated in a news release. “Crews may crack seal, micro surface or fill potholes, replace guardrails or barriers, repair ditch slopes and drainage, seal pipes, replace road signs, fix signal systems and more.”

Contributed / MnDOT

More information on 2024 construction — Online travel planning tools can help motorists safely navigate work zones. People can sign up for project email updates at tinyurl.com/29tp2s6s .

Highway 10 — Randall. Description: Install J-turns to improve access and safety at Morrison County Road 14 and Highway 115 in Randall. Construction in mid-August to late October. Impacts: Lane or shoulder closures, changes to access, follow signs.

Highway 10 — Little Falls. Description: Resurface (mill and pave) both directions from west of the Mississippi River at Morrison County Road 52 to east of Little Falls at County Road 35, includes Highway 371 at Highway 10. Construction in late April-early July 2024. Impacts: Lane closures, weekdays, some overnight work for ramps.

Highway 10 — Little Falls to south of Royalton. Description: Micro-surface each direction to preserve the highway from south of Morrison CR 35 to the Halfway Crossing south of Royalton. Maintenance work: Summer 2024

Highway 23 — Milaca to Ogilvie. Description: Resurface and improve 12 miles of road from Mille Lacs County Road 2 in Milaca to Highway 47 in east Ogilvie, includes shoulders, pipes and accesses. Construction in mid-May–late October 2024. Impacts: Lane closures, alternate one-way traffic, flaggers, pilot car; detours for pipe work.

Highway 18 — north Mille Lacs Lake. Description: Resurface (cold in-place recycle) 13 miles of road between Highway 169 to Highway 47 in Malmo, Aitkin County; repair or replace pipes Construction in mid-July to late October 2024.

Highway 10 — St. Cloud to Clear Lake. Description: Install high-tension cable median barrier. Construction in spring–early summer 2024. Impacts: Lane or shoulder closures at off-peak hours.

Highway 25 — Brainerd. Description: Replace bridge over BNSF Railway; install multi-use trail. Construction in May 2023–June 2024. Impacts: Lane closures in 2024.

Highway 25 — south of Brainerd. Description: Resurface (mill and pave) to preserve the road surface south of Brainerd to the Morrison County line. Maintenance work: 2024. Impacts: Lane closures, alternate one-way traffic, flaggers, pilot car.

Highway 115 — Randall to Camp Ripley. Description: Resurface (mill and pave) from east of Highway 10 in Randall to the Mississippi River bridge, Morrison County; replace four pipes, upgrade guardrail. Construction in late May to early August 2024. Impacts: Lane closures, flaggers; detours for pipe work.

Highway 169 — south of Garrison. Description: Resurface (mill and pave) 7 miles of road between Crow Wing County Highway 26 to half-mile north of Ojibwe Drive; install left-turn lanes at Timber Trail Road and Swing-A-Way; replace pipes and guardrail Construction in early May–mid-July. Impacts: Alternate one-way traffic on weekdays at off-peak times nightwork; detours for pipe work.

Highway 210 — Brainerd to Ironton. Description: Micro-surface each direction to preserve the roadway. Maintenance work in 2024. Impacts: Lane closures, alternate one-way traffic, flaggers, pilot car.

Highway 371 — Nisswa to Jenkins. Description: Micro-surface each direction to preserve the roadway for maintenance work in 2024. Impacts: Lane closures, off-peak hours, weekdays.