Highway 71 bridge reconstruction begins May 18 in Long Prairie

Motorists who travel Highway 71 in Long Prairie will encounter delays and a detour as crews begin to reconstruct the bridge over the Long Prairie River on Monday, May 18. The detour will be in place until mid-September. Here’s what to expect: • Highway 71 will close and detour using the south and north junction of Todd County Road 56/Riverside Drive through August. • There will be a temporary three-way stop at the Highway 71 intersection of County Road 56/Riverside Drive and Highway 27/First Avenue NE. • Local access will remain open to businesses and residents on either side of the closed bridge work area. Crews will first replace the bridge over the Long Prairie River. After the bridge is complete in August, crews will resurface the road between First Avenue NE and Hope Drive. The work will require lane closures and flaggers with a pilot car. Once complete in mid-September, the $1.9 million project will provide a new bridge structure, improve drainage and provide a smoother road surface. For more information on this project, visit www.mndot.gov/d3/projects/2020/h71/ or contact Kirk Allen, Project Manager, at kirk.allen@state.mn.us or 218-828-5739. Slow down and use caution when approaching work zones. Motorists are asked to stay out of barricaded areas, follow posted speed limits and watch for workers, traffic control and equipment. The fine for a violation in a work zone is $300. For updated road condition information, call 511 or visit www.511mn.org.