BAXTER, Minn. - Motorists will encounter a detour on Highway 23 beginning July 6 as crews reconstruct the Rum River bridge in west Milaca.

The road will be closed to through traffic. Drivers will be detoured south of Milaca for nine miles via Mille Lacs County Highway 8, Mille Lacs County Highway 5 and Highway 169. Detour map

Motorists should also be alert to a temporary traffic signal system in operation at the intersection of Highway 169 and Mille Lacs County Highway 8.

Redstone Construction of Mora is the contractor for the $1.8 million bridge replacement project funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed into law in February 2009.

The newly constructed bridge will be open to traffic by mid-November.

Drivers are urged to slow down and pay attention to directional signs. For updated statewide traffic, construction, weather and travel information visit www.511mn.org.

Detour Map: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/d3/newsrels/09/07/hwy23detourmilaca_09.pdf