DETROIT
LAKES, Minn. – Motorists on Highway 34 east of Detroit Lakes will
encounter lane closures and possible delays when work on a passing lane
and intersection safety project begins Monday, Aug. 25.
Crews
will construct an eastbound passing lane near Becker County Road 25 and
make safety modifications to the intersection of Highway 34 and Becker
County Road 29.
Flaggers
will allow one-way, alternating traffic through the work zone. Drivers
must obey the flagger, be prepared to stop and follow the pilot car
through the work zone. Motorists entering from driveways or roads that
intersect with Highway 34 within a work zone must wait for the pilot car
to pass, then follow it through the work zone.
This
season’s work is expected to be complete by mid-October,
weather-permitting. Additional passing lanes and intersection
improvements between Detroit Lakes and Akeley will be completed during
the 2015 construction season.
Anderson
Brothers of Brainerd is the prime contractor for the $8 million
project, which will improve the mobility along Highway 34 by reducing
bottlenecks and improving the movement of freight through the highway
corridor.
The
work is part of the Corridors of Commerce initiative. The Highway 34
project is one of five projects set to break ground in 2014 as part of
the program. The Corridors of Commerce program funds improvements to
key business and freight routes in Minnesota. Additional information can
be found online at www.mndot.gov/corridorsofcommerce/.
This project helps ensure MnDOT’s transportation system will continue to serve the state for many years.
MnDOT
asks motorists to slow down and pay attention while driving through
work zones. A new law that went into effect Aug. 1 raised the fine to
$300 for motorists who speed through a work zone or who do not obey
work zone flaggers’ traffic directions.
