Minnesota Department of Transportation

Passing lanes north of city planned in 2023

Feb 26, 2020

The Minnesota Department of Transportation plans to add passing lanes on sections of Highway 61 between Lake City and Red Wing during a mill-and-overlay project in 2023, according to a MnDOT spokesperson. Michael Dougherty said passing lanes will be added in several places, but exactly where is...

Hwy. 61 project public information officer introduced at open house

Feb 26, 2020

People who attended the Highway 61 reconstruction project open house Feb. 20 had the opportunity to meet Rochester Sand and Gravel’s public information officer on the project, Dick Swenke. A Frontenac resident with contractor experience, Swenke said his job will be to field concerns and questions...

Feb. 20 open house on Hwy. 61 project

Feb 12, 2020

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is inviting the public to attend an information open house on Thursday, Feb. 20 to learn about the stages of the Lake City 2020 reconstruction project and detours that will take place. The meeting is from 4 p.m. to 7 pm. in the Lake City Council...

Letter: After 65 years, let's get highway project done

Feb 5, 2020

To the editor: Over the years and including recent times it is interesting to read and listen to a variety of and multitude of comments, responses and concerns on the Highway 61 lane reduction project. Just to bring folks up to speed, this “road diet” change has been discussed continually and...

Tree and brush cutting for Highway 61 project has begun - MnDOT

Jan 15, 2020

Hwy. 61 motorists in Lake City will encounter temporary lane closures and construction crews removing trees and brush along the route beginning Jan. 15, as they prepare for this spring’s reconstruction project, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). A project...

MnDOT, Chamber meet with businesses about Highway 61 project communication

Jan 15, 2020

Cindy Morgan of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and Michelle Larson of the Lake City Chamber of Commerce have been going door-to-door to businesses in the area expected to feel the greatest impact from the upcoming Highway 61 reconstruction project. Their goal is to meet with all...

MnDOT: Highway project tailored to Lake City’s unique circumstances

Dec 26, 2019

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has disputed an attorney’s assertion that work on the Lake City Highway 61 reconstruction project, as it’s currently planned, is the costlier option. In a November email to the city’s engineering firm, attorney Dan Biersdorf of Biersdorf and...

Lawyer: Businesses might sue over Hwy. 61 project road closure

Dec 19, 2019

A Minneapolis attorney representing at least one local business owner has warned the city that the cost of compensating businesses for the loss of access during the 2020 Highway 61 reconstruction could be higher than what will be saved by completing the project in one year instead of two. In a Nov...

After high bid, council-members reiterate support for project

Dec 11, 2019

A majority of the Lake City City Council Monday expressed support for proceeding with the Highway 61 reconstruction project following news that the one bid for the project was higher than expected. The lone bid on the project was $14.5 million from Rochester Sand and Gravel. Cost estimates prior...

Letter: Highway 61 project should take place over two seasons

Dec 4, 2019

To the editor: With only one contractor interested in bidding the Lake City Highway project in 2020, it should be obvious that something is wrong with the overall plan. This is an opportunity for city staff, council personnel, and our mayor to reconsider a project they are forcing on our community...