Minnesota Department of Transportation

Letter: Time to rethink highway project

Dec 4, 2019

To the editor: I read in last week’s Graphic that the bid for Lake City’s new two-lane highway came in over $2.5 million over budget with Lake City contributing $3.5 million to the project. Isn’t it time to maybe rethink the whole project? If we keep the four-lanes the state will overlay it free....

Highway 61 bid higher than expected

Nov 27, 2019

The cost for the Highway 61 reconstruction project is headed upward, but it’s not clear what, if any, additional costs will be borne by the City of Lake City. Rochester Sand and Gravel was the sole bidder for the 2020 Highway 61 reconstruction project in Lake City. The bid amount is just under $14...

Safe routes to school planning underway

Oct 30, 2019

This spring, Lake City Public Schools was one of five recipients of a planning assistance grant as part of the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s (MnDOT) Safe Routes to School Program. Safe Routes to School is an international program designed to promote walking and biking to school as a way...

City approves cooperative construction agreement on Highway 61 project

Oct 23, 2019

By a 6-1 vote, the Lake City City Council approved a cooperative construction agreement between the city and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for the 2020 Highway 61 reconstruction project. The agreement lays out construction and maintenance responsibilities and is required...

Highway 61 Reconstruction Facebook Page online

Aug 29, 2019

Bids aren’t expected to be let until November, but a Facebook page intended to provide timely information about detours, progress, and other facets of the Highway 61 project already has several posts. On Aug. 12 the Lake City City Council approved a 16-month, $17,440 contract with Abby Breyfogle to...

Hwy. 61 detour lifted as paving work continues

Aug 21, 2019

A Hwy. 61 detour between Lake City and Reads Landing has lifted as crews wrap up the culvert replacement work, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Rochester Sand and Gravel, a MnDOT contractor, has been replacing culverts at three locations along Hwy 61 between Lake...

2020 detours detailed

Jul 31, 2019

About 25 attendees at a luncheon for large manufacturers at City Hall Thursday heard an update on the 2020 Highway 61 reconstruction project, as well as timelines for detours that will be in effect during construction. “This is a complete reconstruction. It’s going to be a challenging time,” said...

Highway 60 paving project begins May 20

May 15, 2019

Motorists using Highway 60 will encounter a detour beginning May 20 between Zumbro Falls and Wabasha as crews begin a paving and culvert replacement project, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Rochester Sand and Gravel, a MnDOT contractor, will be resurfacing and replacing...

Highway 61 repaving project begins

May 8, 2019

Work on a Highway 61 resurfacing project that stretches from Kellogg to north of Lake City commenced Monday, May 6, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Rochester Sand and Gravel is the contractor on the $14.6 million project. Between May 6 and Oct. 25, crews will...

Large crowd at Highway 61 open house

May 1, 2019

City officials estimated that about 100 people attended an open house April 25 on the upcoming Highway 61 reconstruction project that in 2020 will convert the highway’s four-lane portion in Lake City to three-lanes. Lake City Planning and Community Development Director Megan Smith said in an email...