Lake County is planning an improvement project on Highway 2 between Forest Highway 11 (CSAH 15) and MN Hwy 1 for the 2025 summer construction season. The specific project limits are between the White Pine Picnic Area and the public water access to Greenwood Lake. The proposed project includes replacing culvert pipes, reclaiming the pavement surface, and resurfacing the road.
The culverts carrying Murphy Creek (near Upland Trail) and Greenwood Creek will be replaced with concrete box culverts. To complete this work, Lake County will allow the contractor to close Highway 2 to traffic for an estimated duration of 6-weeks. A detour will be posted, routing traffic along Forest Highway 11, Lax Lake Road (CSAH 31), and MN Hwy 1. The exact timing for the closure and posted detour has not been finalized but is planned to occur between July 1 and September 20, 2025. Access to properties within the project work limits will be maintained throughout the project, however access may be from either the south or north end of the project. Property owners are encouraged to contact the Highway Department to set up notification contacts for access changes.
During other construction operations, travelers can expect lane closures with traffic flagging and travel delays during daylight hours. Delays are expected to be 15 minutes or less. Travelers can also expect to encounter unpaved, dusty, and possibly rough road surface conditions until the project is complete.
We recognize that the road closure is a significant inconvenience for travel between Fall Lake Township/City of Ely and the Two Harbors area so we will be working with the contractor to expedite the project to the extent possible. Business owners are encouraged to inform their customers of the road closure and detour to minimize delays and impacts. Exact timing of the closure and detour posting will be provided by notification on the Lake County Website at: https://www.co.lake.mn.us/ under the News and Announcements page.
