News Release

Bemidji, MN. --- As part of the reconstruction of Trunk Highway 197 (Paul Bunyan Drive South) along the southside of Lake Bemidji, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) has begun the lakeshore stabilization portion of the project.

According to Jim Bittmann, Mn/DOT Project Engineer, "the stabilization is being done to protect the shoreline and the road from future erosion and ice damage. The lakeshore stabilization will consist of removing trees along the lakeshore and placing riprap for protection along the shoreline."

Bittmann said a large portion of the trees have been damaged from ice and erosion and will be removed in upcoming weeks. The actual placing of the riprap will be done this winter.

Bittmann added, "the installation of a water main, storm sewer, and paving of the northbound lane that is currently closed will be completed this fall with the final paving of the northbound lanes and the bike trail scheduled for next spring as soon as weather permits."

Mn/DOT has several more enhancement projects for this corridor tentatively scheduled for the summer of 2005 and 2006. These projects would include more landscaping, repair of the rock outlooks, decorative signing, historical plaques, and several new lookouts with benches.

See ORANGE.

We’re in the WORK ZONE Together