News Release

Highway 61/Wakota Project Construction Update

(Roseville, Minn.) - The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) has begun construction along Hwy 61 between 70th and 20th streets to build a temporary ramp from 70th Street (north of St. Paul Park Road) to northbound 61 and to construct temporary lanes on Hwy 61 median.

Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures on northbound and southbound Hwy 61 in Newport into August. Monday through Friday, there will be no lane closures on the northbound highway between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. No lane closures are allowed on southbound Hwy 61 between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. On Saturdays expect intermittent lane closures between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Realignment of Red Rock Road to provide an improved intersection with Maxwell Avenue began in May and will be completed in August 2002. Construction of the new Glen Road interchange also began in May with the interchange opening in July 2004. The new Glen Road interchange will replace the existing signals at 12th Street, Glen Road and 20th Street. Traffic access from High Street and Ford Road to northbound Highway 61 will also be eliminated.

Mn/DOT urges motorists to drive with caution, reminding them to SLOW DOWN in the work zone and NEVER enter a roadway that has been blocked with barriers or cones.

For updated traffic information in the Twin Cities metro area, visit www.dot.state.mn.us/tmc/trafficinfo. For updated construction information in the Twin Cities metro area, visit www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/construction. Visit the Wakota website at www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/wakota

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Metro Division
1500 County Road B2 West
Roseville, MN 55113
Office Tel: 612/582-1000