Construction Begins on Highway 71 in Bemidji, Minnesota

BEMIDJI, MN — A Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) construction project on Highway 71 between Highway 197 and Winter Sumac Road in Bemidji has begun. It includes the construction of a roundabout at Anne Street and seven reduced conflict intersections (J-Turns).

This complex project will be constructed in four general stages, which also include sub-phases within those stages:

Stage 1: Prepare the Alternate Routes

Crews will be conducting work at various locations across the corridor throughout the project. Before construction on the roundabout can begin, improvements need to be made in order to accommodate detoured traffic in subsequent stages. Stage 1 will last a few weeks and be completed in three phases:

Stage 1, Phase 1

• Replace culvert on Technology Drive



• Realign Hannah Avenue to meet up with Minnkota Avenue



• Intersection improvements at Fern Street

Stage 1, Phase 2

• Intersection improvements at Minnkota Avenue and Anne Street



• New Hannah Avenue alignment is open

Stage 1, Phase 3

• Temporary signal at Fern Street (will be removed when the project is complete)



• Completion of Highway 71 bypass lane at Anne Street (on the east side of Highway 71)



• The bypass lane will carry Highway 71 traffic across the Anne Street intersection



• Motorists access Anne Street to the east via detour onto Fern Street

Stage 2: Construct Most of the Roundabout, Begin Highway 71 Resurfacing

• Construct the north, west, and south legs of the roundabout



• Begin resurfacing and intersection improvements on the rest of the Highway 71 corridor (5.2 miles)



• Highway 71 is open to thru traffic with single lane, head-to-head traffic where resurfacing takes place



• Motorists access Anne Street via detour onto Fern Street

Stage 3: Construct the Remaining Leg of the Roundabout, Continue Highway 71 Resurfacing

• Construct the north, west, and south legs of the roundabout



• Continue resurfacing and intersection improvements on the rest of the Highway 71 corridor

Stage 4: Finish Off the Corridor

• Finish resurfacing and intersection improvements on the rest of Hwy 71 corridor

Project Benefits and Cost

Benefits of the project include a safer road, smoother and longer lasting driving surface, as well as intersection and pedestrian improvements to enhance safety for all users. Studies show an 86 percent decrease in fatal crashes at roundabouts, and a 70 percent reduction in fatalities where J-turns are used. Knife River is the contractor for this $16.6-million project. Construction is scheduled to be completed in October.