A large group of residents gathered at the Two Harbors Community Center on September 3rd to listen to current planning, and to ask questions about how Hwy 61 construction will be managed when it starts in 2027. On hand to answer questions and listen to concerns were representatives from MnDOT, Two Harbors Mayor Lew Conner, City Administrator Patty Nordean, members of the Two Harbors City Council, and representative Natalie Zeleznikar.
Senator Grant Hauschild and Representative Roger Skraba were not able to be present due to a previous commitment at another meeting on mine permitting.
Zeleznikar stressed the importance of getting road projects like Hwy 61 done for the economic good of North Shore communities. She noted that such projects are expensive and are not without some pain for local residents and businesses. She also noted that the purpose of the gathering was to listen to residents and business owners in the hope of finding “the best path forward” for the work ahead.
Duane Hill, MnDOT’s District Engineer for the project, said that construction plans are 60% complete. He stated that there will be another public meeting on September 23rd from 5:00 to 6:30 PM where people can learn more about staging for the first year of construction and the specific detour routes that will be used when construction begins. Apparently, MnDOT will also have some information available at that meeting that will help business owners know how to lessen the impact on their businesses due to construction.
Josie Olson, MnDOT Project Manager, briefly reviewed the corridor study and the current plans for Hwy 61. The project will take 2 years and the current detour plan is still being developed. The current iteration is that traffic will be restricted to a single lane (Northbound only) for 6 months. Southbound traffic will be redirected via CSAH 26, through Segog and onto Shoreview Road before rejoining the expressway. There will be two different detours, one for truck traffic and one for automobiles.
The main concerns that were voiced by residents were about the impact of traffic along detour routes and the way construction will impact the businesses that are along the Hwy 61 corridor.
MnDOT is working on a plan that will allow for access to businesses during construction.
The Hwy 61 project not only promises improvements to the roadway and to traffic flow, it will also include necessary upgrades to public utilities that are under the current road.
It seemed apparent that a significant number of people who were at the meeting on September 3rd had not attended any of the numerous meetings that have been held over the last several years concerning the Hwy 61 project. Plans for this project have long been in the development stage and the public has been invited to attend public meetings and City Council meetings where discussion and planning were ongoing. This project is fully funded and plans are now being finalized. Residents who are interested in knowing how things will go moving forward should plan on attending the next public meeting, which will be held at the Community Center on September 23rd.
