2026-2027: Hwy 65—Cambridge to Braham

Current road conditions: 511mn.org

Current impacts

Latest project update (9/25): Closure extends to Brunswick Oct. 1

Detour until late fall

Detour map Braham to Cambridge — *Oct. 1- late fall 2026: Hwy 65 Brunswick to Cambridge detour. Select image to enlarge*

Through traffic

Hwy 65 closed from Kanabec Co. Rd. 45 to Isanti Co. Rd. 30.

Detour Brunswick to Cambridge: Begins west side of Hwy 65 on Co. Rd. 16, Co. Rd. 4, Co. Rd. 14, Co. Rd. 3 to the east side of Hwy 65 on Co. Rd. 36, Co. Rd. 34 and Co. Rd. 30 (PNG)
- Southwest access to Grandy: Co. Rd. 3, Co. Rd. 14 to Co. Rd. 6
- North access to Braham: Co. Rd. 3, Co. Rd. 36, Co. Rd. 4 to Hwy 107
- Truck detour south of Mora to Cambridge: Hwy 23, Hwy 47 Ogilvie, Hwy 95 and Hwy 169 (PNG)
  - Note: Semi-trailers or hauling trailers - use truck route or seek other routes. Detour routes not made for heavy or wide traffic routes.

Local traffic

Hwy 65 work zone open to businesses, visitors and residents
- Expect delays, reduced speeds, narrow lanes, flaggers, hard closures between side roads, changes to access, gravel or grooved surfaces
- Shoulder or lane closures with flaggers and off-road work to occur during the full duration of this project

About this project

MnDOT will resurface and update over 10 miles of Hwy 65 from south of 357th Ave. NE at the end of four-lane in Cambridge to south of Kanabec Co. Rd. 45/120th Ave. north of Braham, includes drainage and sidewalks in Grandy.

Hwy 65 work location map between Braham and Cambridge — *Hwy 65 work Cambridge to north of Braham. Select PNG image to enlarge*

Work highlights

Resurface 10 miles of road surface (cold-in-place recycle*)
Add northbound left turn lane on Hwy 65 at 357th Ave. NE north of Cambridge
Replace pipes and box culverts at multiple locations under Hwy 65
Update or repair guardrail
Add Hwy 65 intersection lighting at:

Isanti Co. Rd. 6 and Co. Rd. 4
Kanabec Co. Rd. 4 and Co. Rd. 16 (King Rd.)

Install centerline/shoulder mumble strips and paint new pavement marking
Make any other necessary repairs

Grandy

Resurface road
Replace underground storm sewer
Upgrade pedestrian sidewalks
Extend center left-turn lane

About cold-in-place recycle*

This road surface treatment and equipment is being used on this project. The process involves a convoy of equipment to finish a road surface, including tankers that hold emulsion material and water, milling or crushing and recycling machines, pavers and rollers.

Collage of cold-in-place images from a past Hwy 18 photo. — Photos show how cold-in-place recycling works at the job site.

Mill and grind the old road surface with a grinding machine.

Materials are transferred onto a belt to another machine that adds cement and a liquid strengthener *(tank*). Materials are then placed back onto the road in a long, low ridge called a windrow.

A paver then picks up the windrow and spreads the material evenly across the width of the lane. Heavy rollers then compact the material.

Once the surface is flat, a density tester (yellow metal box) is used to ensure adequate compaction.

On a later date, pave a new layer of asphalt.

Schedule at a glance

Overall tentative plans are subject to change by weather, supplies or contractor:

Time frame	Hwy 65	Impacts
July 7-Aug. 28, 2026	Stanchfield to Cambridge	-
Aug. 31-fall 2026	Braham to Cambridge	Closure and detour extends to Hwy 107 in Braham. Both directions closed and detoured (PNG)
Winter 2026-2027	All lanes open	Check 511mn.org for winter travel conditions
Spring-July 2027	South of Brunswick to Braham	Both directions closed and detoured - Detour route to be updated - more to come
July-fall 2026; spring-July 2027	South of Mora to Cambridge	Hwy 65 truck route (PNG) for larger/longer vehicles/semi-trailers via Hwy 23 south of Mora to Hwy 47 Ogilvie to Hwy 95 Pine Brook to Cambridge