Monday, August 18, 2014

Highway 34 passing lane, intersection improvement project begins Aug. 25

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.

More information about the project is available at www.mndot.gov/d4/projects/hwy34.

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.

For real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org or dial 5-1-1.