Detour begins July 15 on Highway 32 near Marcoux corner

Bemidji, Minn. – Motorists on Highway 32 can expect a detour beginning July 15 as crews construct a Reduced Conflict Intersection (RCI) at the intersection of Highway 2 and Highway 32. During the project, crews are also replacing the concrete roadway on Highway 2 eastbound lanes from Highway 32 to 1.8 miles west of Erskine as well as a portion east of Erskine near the weigh station.

Highway 32 will be detoured during the construction of the RCI.

• Northbound traffic on Highway 32 continuing north of Highway 2, will use Polk county roads 41, 12, and 49.

• Southbound traffic on Highway 32 continuing south of Highway 2, or east on Highway 2, will use Polk county roads 49, 12 and 41.

• Highway 2 traffic headed north on Highway 32 will utilize Polk county roads 49 and 12.

• This detour is expected to be lifted by August, weather permitting.

Hoffman Construction is the contractor for the $22.3 million project. For more information and a detour map, visit the website at http://www.mndot.gov/d2/projects/2021/hwy2-rci.

RCI's decrease fatalities and injuries caused by T-bone crashes on four-lane divided highways. In some parts of the country, RCIs are sometimes referred to as J-turns, R-CUTs, Michigan Lefts.

RCI's improve safety, with up to a 70 percent reduction in injury crashes nationwide. For more information on this project or sign up for email updates, visit the project website.

MnDOT reminds drivers to slow down, avoid distractions and follow traffic signs in work zones.

Please join the MnDOT District 2 Facebook group for updates on construction, road conditions and other transportation related topics. http://www.facebook.com/groups/mndotnorthwest/. For a complete list of projects for 2021, please visit http://www.mndot.gov/d2. For real-time traffic and travel information in Minnesota, visit http://www.511mn.org or get the free smartphone app at Google Play or the App Store.

www.mndot.gov