News Release

Bemidji, MN. -- The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) is alerting the public to the start of a bridge improvement project on State Highway 200 near Itasca State Park beginning Monday, August 7th. The exact location is Bridge #15002 over the Mississippi River 2.9 miles west of the Clearwater-Hubbard County line.

According to Larry Randall, Mn/DOT Project Supervisor, the project will involve a new concrete wear course for the bridge deck, new expansion joints, guard rail improvements and bituminous approach work.

Randall said the work will require closing off one half of the bridge and approaches at a time to traffic with one lane open for the duration of the work. The open lane will be restricted to a 12-foot width. Traffic control will require a stop and take turn condition. No over-width or overweight permits will be allowed for the duration of the project.

Randall said the work is expected to be complete by September 15, 2006.

For statewide road condition information, dial 511 or log unto www.511mn.org.