BAXTER, Minn. - Motorists will encounter a detour on Highway 27 beginning July 12 as crews reconstruct the Platte River bridge three miles west of Genola/Pierz in Morrison County.

The road will be closed to traffic. Drivers will be detoured north of the project via Morrison County Road 45, Morrison County Road 43 and Morrison County Road 255.

Lunda Construction Company of Black River Falls Wisconsin is the prime contractor for the $700,000 bridge replacement project.

The new bridge will be open to traffic by October 1, 2010.

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/2010/detours/Hwy27platteriverbridgedetour.pdf