(KNSI) – The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is clearing trees along Highway 23 from Richmond to Paynesville to prepare for the Highway 23 North Gap project. The North Gap project will expand Highway 23 from a two-lane road to four lanes. Work on the clearing began this week.
Drivers may come across shoulder closures, lane shifts, or flaggers as crews clear the right-of-way along the road at various spots. All work will be complete by March 31st.
The tree cutting and brush removal will help clear areas for construction in 2022 and improve drainage areas once the construction work is completed. Removal work takes place in the winter months to ensure the seasonal nesting patterns of bats are not disrupted.
Work on the North Gap project is scheduled to begin in the spring.
Expect tree and debris clearing at these known 2022 project locations:
Highway 23 from Foley to Milaca, Benton and Mille Lacs counties, to resurface/reconstruct and improve access and drainage, includes roundabout in Foley
Highway 23 from east of Paynesville to Richmond, Stearns County, to expand to a four-lane highway
Highway 27 in the Osakis area, Todd and Douglas Counties, to resurface, improve access and replace bridges
Highway 65 in Mora, Kanabec County, to reconstruct the Snake River bridge and install a multi-use trail
Highway 169/210 from Aitkin to north of Hassman, Aitkin County, to widen shoulders, improve drainage and reconstruct the road surface
Highway 169 in Elk River, Sherburne County, to construct a freeway system with four interchanges
Business Highway 371 from Barrows to Brainerd, Crow Wing County, to reconstruct or resurface and improve access
Highway 371 in Brainerd Lakes area, Crow Wing County, to improve access from Gull Lake Dam Road to Green Gables Road, includes frontage roads
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