Hwy 34

2023 Construction

The Hwy 34 construction in Akeley is complete for this year. The project began Monday, July 10 and crews worked through early November. Final work in Stage 3 from Hulet to Hillside will resume in the spring, once road restrictions are lifted. The final work is expected to last approximately three to four weeks, weather permitting.

The overall project on Highway 34 in Akeley included narrowing the road width, culvert replacement, boulevard spacing, sidewalks, lighting and other safety and pedestrian accessibility improvements. MnDOT appreciates the public’s patience, cooperation, and commitment to safety during this year’s construction.

Public meetings were held at Akeley City Hall each Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. throughout the project. These meetings will resume once construction begins in 2024.

Staging

• Stage 1: Pleasant Ave to Franklin Ave closed
  • The resurfacing portion east of Franklin Ave (out past Scherer Ave) also took place during stage 1
  • (complete)
• Stage 2: Pleasant Ave to Graceson Ave closed
  • (complete)
• Stage 3: Graceson Ave to Hillside Ave closed
  • Graceson to Hulet complete
  • Crews will return in the spring to finish any remaining work, including Hulet Avenue to Hillside Avenue. Tree planting will also take place in 2024. 

Traffic Impacts

Traffic will be detoured onto Highway 64 and Hubbard County Road 25 when construction resumes in 2024.

Construction staging maps

About the project

Hwy 34 in Akeley is scheduled for construction in the summer of 2023. The project requires a detour and will reconstruct the corridor through Akeley, it includes resurfacing work west of Franklin Ave.

Urban reconstruct

• Between Hillside Ave and Franklin Ave
  • Reconstruct the highway, reducing the current pavement width by about 30 feet
  • Addition of Boulevard spacing between driving surface and sidewalks
  • Sidewalk replacement
  • Turning improvements at the intersection with Hwy 64
  • Highway lighting
  • On-street parking will be changed from diagonal to parallel
  • Tree's will be planted in the additional boulevard spacing, although that won't take place during the project. They will be planted in 2024.

Resurfacing

• Franklin Ave to east of Scherer Ave
  • Resurfacing

Why reconstruct the corridor

• Road width
  • The road is very wide in Akeley, in fact too wide, so there will be a width reduction of about 30 feet. What we find with roads that are too wide is that drivers typically drive faster than the posted speeds. So reducing the width will provide natural traffic calming, which will help reduce motorist speeds through town. Additionally it also requires more time, effort, and funding for things like maintenance, plowing, and construction. This reconstruction project will help get motorists to drive slower through town, reduce costs, increase maintenance efficiencies, and increase safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.
• Boulevards
  • Reducing the pavement width also allows for the inclusion of boulevard spacing, which will move the sidewalks away from the driving surface, and increase safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. In the two blocks between Hulet Ave and Marie Ave/Hwy 64, the boulevards will include colored, decorative concrete. The rest will be grass.
• Hwy 34/Hwy 64 intersection
  • Reducing the pavement width allows for an adjustment to the curb corners and turning radius for vehicles. It will make it easier for vehicles to turn more predictably and improve sightlines for drivers, which will improve safety. The project won't really change anything with the configuration, so motorists will use it the same. It just makes some adjustments to where the corners are.