News Release

Bemidji, Mn. -- The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) is cautioning motorists who may be using Trunk Highway 72 from Waskish north to the junction with Highway 11 in Beltrami and Lake of the Woods counties to expect delays for construction.

According to Bill Pirkl, Mn/DOT Project Engineer, work to replace the Waskish Bridge over the Tamarac River was begun on July 11th and will continue until late October. Pirkl said traffic is restricted to one lane with an 11-foot width.

In addition to the bridge work, motorists will encounter a bituminous chip seal operation on Highway 72 from the junction with Highway 11 at Baudette to approximately 13 miles south. This work will start Monday, August 8th and is expected to last through the week. The chip seal project is a slow moving operation with loose rock and motorists are advised to slow down and drive with extreme caution.

Also beginning Monday, August 8th, will be a resurfacing project on that portion of Highway 72 from approximately 12 miles north of the Waskish bridge job to 11 miles north. Work will begin with the replacement of 4 culverts with paving scheduled to start the week of August 15th. This project is expected to last until late September. Pirkl said traffic in this area will also be restricted to one lane with width restriction.

Mn/DOT is asking motorists traveling through this area to be extremely patient and to allow themselves more time to get to their destination.

For updated road condition information in Minnesota, dial 511 or log on to www.511mn.org.