Contact: Jay Owens
City Engineer/Engineering Director
Engineering Department
651.385.3625
jay.owens@ci.red-wing.mn.us
(August 22, 2023, Red Wing, Minn.) – The City of Red Wing would like to inform the public that the following notification has been received from the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Highway 61 lane closures south of Red Wing begin August 25 for resurfacing
RED WING, Minn. – Motorists on Highway 61 south of Red Wing will experience lane closures as crews are scheduled to begin resurfacing the road August 25, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
The Highway 61 resurfacing work is anticipated to begin August 25 from the north part of the project at Sevastopol Road/277th Avenue to Ski Road/Hill Avenue. This work is expected to be completed early in the week of August 28. Crews will then resurface the south part of the project.
Highway 61 will remain open for residents and people visiting businesses during the resurfacing work. Flaggers will direct motorists through the project area, so short traffic delays are possible. 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.
This work is part of the project that is resurfacing approximately 10 miles of Highway 61 from Lake City to Red Wing. It also includes realigning some intersections to increase visibility, widening the road in multiple places to accommodate a bike lane, upgrading guardrails and completing bridge maintenance.
A few traffic impacts are occurring during this project. The Wells Creek Bridge is expected to re-open to traffic at the end of August when improvements are complete. The passing lanes at Highway 61 and the Ski Road intersection are expected to be complete early September and will re-open to traffic. Once that is open, the Highway 61 and Ski Road/Hill Avenue intersection will close for turn-lane construction.
Safety
Motorists may encounter lane closures or lane shifts, uneven road surfaces, equipment and other unexpected obstacles when driving near or through work zones. MnDOT advises motorists to:
- Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
- Go hands-free and minimize other distractions (e.g., don’t eat or drink while driving).
- Follow posted speed limits; the fine for speeding in a work zone is $300.
- Avoid making lane changes within work zones.
Stay connected, informed.
Sheila Thoma
Public Affairs Coordinator
MnDOT - District 6, Rochester
C: 507-259-5650