Highway 200 Detour between Mahnomen and Roy Lake begins July 25

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Motorists on Highway 200 should plan for additional travel time when a detour begins July 25 between Mahnomen County Road 3 and Roy Lake. The detour is located on Highway 113 using Mahnomen County Road 3 and Clearwater County Road 39. It adds about 20 miles each way to the commute.

Residents and business owners are encouraged to attend an open house on Wednesday, July 27 for an update on the project and detour.

Phase one of the project featured intermittent lane closures. The phase two detour is expected to last about a month, weather permitting.

Phase three will begin in late August with the removal of the detour and the remaining work will be done under traffic. A pilot car and flaggers will control traffic and motorists should plan for daily lane closures in the area where crews are working. It is expected to last until October.

Knife River Materials is the contractor for the $5.5 million project. The work will reduce the risk of flooding and ensure a smoother and safer roadway on 20 miles of Highway 200.

More information about the project is available at http://www.mndot.gov/d4/projects/hwy200.

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 the work zone.

For real-time traffic and travel information anywhere in Minnesota, visit http://www.511mn.org, call 5-1-1 or log on to http://www.mndot.gov.