Motorists traveling through the Highway 2 and Highway 89 intersection near Bemidji will encounter a partial detour on Highway 89 beginning Monday, July 6 as the Highway 2 median is closed to traffic.
The partial detour includes all southbound Highway 89 traffic and eastbound Highway 2 motorists intending to drive north on Highway 89. Those motorists will be detoured on Beltrami County Road 515/Scribner Road NW. The detour will remain through the duration of the project, which is expected to be complete in October, weather permitting.
The detour will not affect motorists on westbound Highway 2 until the full closure of Highway 89, which is expected to take place in mid-august.
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Highway 2 is currently reduced to single lane traffic in both the eastbound and westbound lanes and a two-day detour is planned prior to the Highway 89 closure in mid-august to allow for the setting of bridge beams.
Residents and business owners are encouraged to attend an open house Thursday, July 9 to get an update on the project and have questions answered directly from contractor representatives, MnDOT staff and other project officials.
The informal open house begins at 6 p.m. in room 151 at the Bemidji MnDOT building, 3920 Highway 2 West.
The intersection reconstruction project will result in a safer intersection with improved turning lanes, intersection lighting, and an overpass for motorists on Highway 89 to access the eastbound lanes of Highway 2.
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MnDOT urges motorists to follow these recommendations in work zones : stay alert; watch for signs, equipment and workers; minimize distractions, such as using cell phones, eating or drinking; avoid tailgating; follow posted speed limits and directional signs; and stay in one lane while driving through a work zone
Learn more about Minnesota’s investment in and maintenance of the state’s transportation system at MnDOT’s Get Connected site www.dot.state.mn.us/getconnected/ .
