Forest Lake detours begin as MnDOT undertakes $17M Highway 97 reconstruction project

Both directions of Minnesota between Hornsby Street and Falcon Avenue in Forest Lake will be closed beginning a m Monday The closure will remain in place through late fall according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation The work is part of a two-year million reconstruction of Minnesota between Interstate and U S that includes resurfacing the road constructing a single-lane roundabout at Fenway Avenue and adding turn lanes in specific locations In addition a new multi-use trail will be constructed along the south side of Minnesota to provide a safer space for pedestrians and bicyclists as well as a connection to the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail A raised median also will be added to divide eastbound and westbound traffic on the two-lane roadway the median also will serve as an accessible pedestrian journeying Minnesota will be open to traffic between Falcon Avenue and U S and Hornsby Street and all I- ramps will remain open according to a MnDOT news release Local residential and business access will be maintained throughout construction although routes will change periodically the release states Motorists can find a way around the closure using the following detours Eastbound through traffic can use northbound I- to eastbound U S to southbound U S Westbound through traffic can use northbound U S to westbound U S to southbound I- Southbound I- traffic can access eastbound Minnesota by using Broadway Avenue to northbound I- to eastbound U S to southbound U S All construction sessions and traffic impacts are weather and schedule dependent and subject to change according to MnDOT For more information go to mndot gov metro projects hwy -forestlake Related Articles Forest Lake School Board hears input on achievable contentious initiative changes artOPENer Studio Tour hits St Croix Valley stops Bayport couple detected dead in home natural causes determined Stillwater Water Street Inn s Chuck Dougherty named Lumberjack Days parade grand marshal Obituary How a bridge got Mary McComber mayor of Oak Park Heights into local politics