News Release  June 9, 1999
	Mn/DOT Releases Status of Proposed Highway 23 Project  HIGHWAY 71/23 PROJECT NORTH OF WILLMAR TO BEGIN NEXT WEEK MOTORISTS ARE REMINDED OF THE DOUBLE FINE WORK ZONE LAW  Willmar, Minn. –  The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced today that due to the critical need to provide a safe work zone, extra law enforcement will be utilized to enforce the double fine work zone law during the improvement project on Trunk Highway 71/23 north of Willmar.  The project is set to begin on or after June 15 and will continue through August.  The speed limit will be set at 45 mph in the approximate 4 mile work zone.  Mn/DOT advises motorists to slow down, observe traffic signs and prepare for the unexpected.   According to Mn/DOT officials, the double fine in work zone law is designed to protect the motorist and highway workers in all work zones.  In the last 10 years, 98% of all fatalities in work zones were the traveling public.  Driving too fast, following too close and stopping suddenly are the major causes of crashes in work zones.     Improvements proposed as part of the construction project include new concrete pavement and the installation of turn lanes on southbound  T.H. 71/23 between junction T.H. 294, near the Willmar Regional Treatment Center, to the north junction T.H. 23 near Eagle Lake.   During construction, southbound traffic will be diverted to northbound T.H. 71/23.  The southbound Willmar bypass will be closed and traffic will be diverted via Civic Center Drive.    Duininck, Bros., Prinsburg, Minn., is the prime contractor for the $2.8 million project. View the Traffic Routing Map for the 71/23 Project (18 K) See ORANGE. We’re in the WORK ZONE Together
	District 8 - Willmar/Marshall/Hutchinson 2505 Transportation Road P.O. Box 768 Willmar, MN 56201 Tel: (320) 231-5195 Tel: (800) 657-3792	Contact: Sandy East Public Affairs Coordinator 320-214-3773 Jim Christensen 320-214-3719

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