Highway 71/23 Willmar bypass detour will be lifted today
WILLMAR, Minn. – The Highway 71/23 Willmar bypass detour will be lifted by the end of today, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. When the detour is removed, the bypass will open to traffic from Kandiyohi County Road 5 to the southwest junction of Highway 71 and Business Highway 71. The exit and entrance ramps from Willmar Avenue/County Road 23 to the Highway 71/23 Willmar bypass will also reopen by end of day.
Crews remain onsite to complete wrap up tasks for year one of the two-year resurfacing project. Travelers may encounter workers and heavy equipment with temporary shoulder or lane closures. Once permanent signage, seeding and guardrails are in place, all work will be suspended until spring 2026 when the second year of construction will get underway.
The project is being completed in stages to minimize travel impacts and is scheduled to run through Sept. 19, 2026.
Work completed in 2025
- Resurfaced the Highway 23 Willmar bypass from Kandiyohi County Road 5 to the southwest junction of Highway 71 and Business Highway 71
- Replaced existing asphalt with concrete pavement
- Replaced culverts along the project route
- Updated guardrails under bridges and median high-tension cables along the project route
- Installed temporary crossover lanes that will be used in 2026 to direct southbound traffic to the northbound lane so the southbound lane can be resurfaced
Work to be completed in 2026
- Resurface the southbound lanes of Highway 71/23 Willmar bypass from the southwest junction of Business Highway 71 to the northeast junction of Business Highway 71
- Replace existing asphalt with concrete pavement
- Replace culverts along the project route
- Update guardrails under bridges and median high-tension cables along the project route
Project benefits and cost
Benefits of the project include a smoother road surface, extended road life, improved drainage, and enhanced safety. Duininck, Inc., is the contractor, and the project cost is approximately $21.6 million.
Stay connected
- Learn more about the Highway 71/23 Willmar bypass project at mndot.gov/d8/projects/hwy71-23willmar.
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