About the Project
- 2025: Resurface Hwy 23 Willmar bypass from CR 5 to southwest junction of Hwy 71 and Business Hwy 71
- 2026: Resurface SB lanes of Hwy 71/23 Willmar bypass from southwest junction of Business Hwy 71 to northeast junction of Business Hwy 71.
- 2025-26: Replace existing asphalt with concrete pavement
- 2025-26: Update guardrails and median high tension cables
- 2025-26: Replace culverts
Traffic Impacts
Project Update: July 14, 2026
- Crews are recycling road materials around the Highway 12 bridge, paving shoulders and bringing in guardrail.
2025: Stage 1
- The Hwy 23 Willmar bypass is closed from CR 5 to the SW junction of Hwy 71 and Business Hwy 71
- All four ramps at the Hwy 23 Willmar bypass and CR 5 are closed
- All ramps at the Willmar bypass and Willmar Ave/CR 23 are closed Aug. 11-Oct. 24, 2025
- Vehicle traffic routed to Hwy 71 and CR 3
- Semi-truck traffic routed to Hwy 71 and Hwy 7
- The detour will be in place Aug. 4 - Nov. 1, 2025
- Click here to view a project map
- Stage 1 detours and closures have been removed - Nov. 15, 2025
2026: Stage 2
- The south/westbound lane of the Hwy 71/23 Willmar bypass will be closed.
- Traffic will be head to head on the north/eastbound lane.
- Click here to view a project map
2026: Stage 3
- The south/westbound lane of the Hyw 71/23 Willmar bypass will be closed.
- Traffic will be head to head on the north/eastbound lane.
- The Lakeland Dr. ramps/loops will be closed.
- Click here to view a project map