News Release

WILLMAR, Minn. - The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced today that, weather permitting, improvements to Highway 12 west of Willmar will get underway next week. Traffic will be detoured during the project and barricades are expected to be in place on Tuesday (April 30).

Highway 12 motorists will be detoured to Highway 40 and County Road 7. The detour adds approximately 3.5 miles.

According to Jim Christensen, Mn/DOT project supervisor, plans call to construct turn lanes and a bituminous mill and overlay from the west city limits of Willmar beginning at the railroad bridge just west of 11th Street to the east city limits of Pennock. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be complete mid-summer.

The prime contractor for the $1.5 million project is Duininck Bros. of Prinsburg.

Statewide traveler information is available by dialing 511 on a wireless telephone or 800-542-0220 from a wireless or landline connection. When using these services, road conditions and construction project information can be found by selecting a section of road by segment or by mile-marker. Information is updated as conditions change. At this time, there is no extra charge for the 511 service outside of normal airtime or any roaming charges for wireless phone users.

Traveler information and other transportation related information is also available on the Mn/DOT web site at www.dot.state.mn.us. Local transportation information is available on Mn/DOT, District 8's, web site at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/d8/.