Hwy 1 Reconstruction

Hwy 1 Reconstruction

• This project includes repaving approximately five miles of Hwy 1. Some areas will be realigned to improve safety.

• Hwy 1 south of Ely between Forest Road 424/New Tomahawk Road and just north of Forest Road 553

• November 2011 to November 2012
  
  

Cost

• $7.15 million

The Hwy 1 project goes through some of the roughest terrain in Northeastern Minnesota. Large quantities of ledge rock and many huge boulders—some larger than school buses—have been uncovered during excavation work. Crews blast the ledge rock and boulders into smaller pieces that are hauled to a quarry or used on the project.

Hwy 1 detour

Hwy 1 is closed between Forest Road 424/New Tomahawk Road and just north of Forest Road 553. Motorists are required to follow the posted detour. The detour will be in place until mid-August.

Holes are drilled about six feet apart by machines such as this. Blasting powder is placed deep in the holes, then when the safety perimeter is clear, the blasting powder is detonated.

Project complications add to detour time

In order to expedite project completion, Hwy 1 will close longer than planned to remove significantly more rock encountered than originally estimated. Many large boulders have been exposed and significant amounts of additional ledge rock need to be excavated. The project is also complicated by numerous swamps that must be excavated and backfilled.

By contract, MnDOT's contractor is allowed 45 working days to close Hwy 1and detour traffic. The contract also includes a monetary penalty for detour time in excess of 45 days.

Detour details

The 30-mile-long detour will add an extra 15 trip miles (for through-traffic), however overall travel time will be similar, if not faster than going through the project area (if it was left open) where numerous flagging and construction operations would undoubtably cause lengthy traffic delays.

The detour route is regularly graded and maintained.

Motorists will still be able to reach Ely, the North Shore and all places in-between, except within the five-mile construction area.

Closed means closed

This is not a typical project where local residents are allowed to bypass barriers to get to their homes. There are no homes in the closed area. With the exception of project workers, absolutely no one is allowed to enter the construction zone due to the nature of the work, the size of the construction equipment and the dangerous road conditions.

The access to East Tomahawk Road/Forest Road 377 from this section of Hwy 1 is also closed to all vehicles. Motorists may access the East Tomahawk Road from either Forest Service Road 383 or Forest Service Road 172 in Isabella. Violators who attempt to enter the construction area will be towed at owners expense and will be subject to fines and prosecution.

Hwy 1 will reopen as soon as feasible

Local residents, vacationers and businesses rely on Hwy 1. MnDOT recognizes this is a hardship and will do everything possible to reopen Hwy 1 as soon as it is feasible.

Benefits

• This project will completely reconstruct the roadway to meet current design standards and will replace pavement that has reached the end of its expected life cycle.
• The project includes grading, new bituminous surfacing and drainage improvements.
• The project will reduce the severity of bumps and dips in the road, soften the existing tight curves, add paved shoulders and reduce the number of hazardous roadside obstacles. The finished highway will be smoother, safer and will retain the unique, picturesque character of Hwy 1.