News Release

Bemidji, Mn. - The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) is alerting the public about it's plans to change the timing on all traffic signals along State Highway 197 (Paul Bunyan Drive) in Bemidji from the intersection of Highway 71 and 197 on the west side of the city to the intersection of Highway 197 and 2nd Street in the downtown area. The change is expected to allow traffic along the corridor to travel with fewer stops.

The new signal timing operations will be instituted within the next month. Motorists will notice the changes. The most notable change will be to the traffic signals at the intersections of Highway 197 with Highway 71, Middle School Road and Hannah Avenue. Motorists will have to wait for the green arrow before making a left turn and will notice that the green arrow may appear either before or after the green ball light for traffic traveling straight through the intersection. The "leading and lagging" left arrow is intended to reduce stops and keep traffic moving more efficiently along Highway 197.

Mn/DOT is asking the public to be especially alert to these changes and drive with care. For questions related to this project, please call Mn/DOT Traffic Engineer Mike Kamnikar at 755-3805 or Senior Traffic Technician Cindy Gross at 755-3707 in Bemidji.

For statewide information on construction and other related road conditions, call 5-1-1 or log on to Mn/DOT's website at www.511mn.org.