. I ha
Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Hwy 61 resurfacing

North of Lake City to South of Red Wing

About this project

Updates

Below you will find the current traffic impacts of the Hwy 61 project between Lake City and Red Wing. Motorists who don't need to access properties in the work zone should use Goodhue Co. Rd. 5 in Lake City and Hwy 58 in Red Wing to detour around the project site. It is expected that Hwy 61 will reopen to traffic by Sept. 30. More details about traffic impacts can be found at the bottom of the page.

Closure at Hwy 61 and Ski Road/Hill Ave.

Hwy 61 and Ski Road/Hill Ave. intersection is closed for turn-lane construction and is scheduled to reopen late September.

Wells Creek Bridge closure

The Wells Creek Bridge is expected to reopen to traffic late September when improvements are complete.

Flagging operations for resurfacing

Final surfacing has been completed on the north and south ends of the project. The resurfacing work form the Wells Creek Bridge to Co. Rd. 21 (Flower Valley Road) is expected to be completed by the end of September. Flaggers will direct residents through the project area.

What's next?

The remaining work of the project is scheduled in October, and it includes the installation of permanent signing, lighting, seeding, pavement markings/striping, rumble strips and aggregate shouldering. Flaggers will direct motorists through the areas that crews are working, so short traffic delays are possible. All project work is expected to be complete by the end of October.

Summary of work

Hwy 61 Resurfacing Map
Hwy 61 resurfacing map

MnDOT will resurface approximately 10 miles of Hwy 61 from Lake City to Red Wing. Rochester Sand and Gravel has been selected as the contractor for this project. Construction started July 5 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of October 2023. The following is the planned work:

  • Resurface approximately 10 miles of Hwy 61 from Lake City to Red Wing
  • Add passing lanes in both directions near Frontenac
  • Turn the intersection at the western end of 296th St. into a cul-de-sac to accommodate the passing lane
  • Realign intersections to improve visibility
  • Widen the road in multiple places to accommodate a bike lane
  • Upgrade guardrails
  • Complete bridge maintenance
  • Update pavement markings to improve safety for both pedestrians and motorists

Traffic impacts

Hwy 61 detour routes
Hwy 61 detour map
  • Motorists who don't need to access properties in the work zone will use Goodhue Co. Rd. 5 in Lake City and Hwy 58 in Red Wing to detour around the project site.
  • People wanting to access Frontenac, Ski Road and 296th St. should use the Goodhue Co. Rd. 2 detour.
  • Wells Creek Bridge improvements started July 5 and are estimated to be completed late September. This area is closed to all traffic.
  • Passing lanes are being added in both directions at the Hwy 61 and Ski Road/296th St. intersection to reduce congestion and allow for safer passing. The work is not fully complete yet, but the intersection reopened Aug. 28 and crews are continuing construction of the passing lanes.
  • The intersection on Hwy 61 at Ski Road/Hill Ave. closed on Aug. 28 for turn-lane construction and it is anticipated to reopen late September.
    • To reach Mount Frontenac Golf Course during the Ski Road/Hill Ave. closure:
      • Motorists from Lake City can take Goodhue Co. Rd. 5, right on Goodhue Co. Rd. 2, left onto Hwy 61 and left on Ski Road.
      • Motorists from Red Wing can take Hwy 58, left on Goodhue Co. Rd. 5, left on Goodhue Co. Rd.2, left on Hwy 61 and left on Ski Road.
  • Final surfacing has been completed on the north and south ends of the project. The resurfacing work form the Wells Creek Bridge to Co. Rd. 21 (Flower Valley Road) is expected to be completed by the end of September. Flaggers will direct residents through the project area.
  • The remaining work of the project is scheduled in October, and it includes the installation of permanent signing, lighting, seeding, pavement markings/striping, rumble strips and aggregate shouldering. Flaggers will direct motorists through the areas that crews are working, so short traffic delays are possible. All project work is expected to be complete by the end of October.
  • Bicyclists following the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) will follow the same detour routes as vehicles.
  • Access to residents and businesses along Hwy 61 will be available. Traffic may have to come from one side of the construction zone or another depending on the work that day.