News Release

(Roseville, Minn.) - The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) will begin construction in early September on the Maxwell/Bailey North Ring Road (NRR) project. The NRR project is part of the overall Wakota project that began this spring with construction along Highway 61 in Newport. The Lunda Construction Company has teamed up with Shafer Contracting Company to complete the $42,650,000 NRR project by the fall of 2004.

The NRR construction will close Bailey Road over I-494, the I-494 southbound exit ramp to Bailey Road, Hastings Avenue (Bailey to Cemetery Road), and Point Douglas Road (south of Carver) beginning on September 10, 2002. Lane restrictions will also begin this fall on Maxwell Avenue and 21st Street in Newport.

For the Bailey Road closure near I-494, a local detour on Sterling and Carver Avenues will be signed to get traffic between Bailey Road and Highway 61. The detour will be in effect until fall 2003. Through traffic on Bailey Road (CSAH 18) and Military Road (CSAH 20) that use this area are encouraged to find alternate routes.

The I-494 exit ramp to Bailey Road will also be closed until fall 2003. Traffic that uses the ramp to access northbound Highway 61 can follow a posted detour along I-494.

Hastings Avenue (Bailey to Cemetery Road) will be closed and is planned to reopen August 2003. Traffic will be maintained on Maxwell Avenue and 21st Street while the roadways are reconstructed however there will be restrictions and delays should be anticipated.

The new Red Rock Road connector is planned to open at noon on September 5, 2002 at which time Maxwell Avenue near the Newport/St. Paul City limits will be closed.

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/construction.html. Visit the Wakota website at www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/wakota/

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