Highway 27 Osakis roadwork, detour begins May 2

OSAKIS — Those who travel on Highway 27 in the Osakis area will encounter the road closed and detoured as a six-month roadwork project gets underway Monday, May 2.

The closure is necessary to reconstruct or improve 14 miles of Highway 27 between I-94 in Douglas County and Highway 71 in Todd County. The project will reconstruct, resurface, widen the road and improve safety and access; repair or replace drainage pipes; and reconstruct four bridges, including the Lake Wobegon Trail bridge.

Here’s what to expect:

• Detour, May to November—Highway 27 will close to through traffic between Douglas County Road 82/Todd County Road 51 in Osakis and Highway 71 south of Long Prairie. Motorists will follow a signed detour that uses Highway 71 to Todd County Road 2 to County Road 51 to Osakis.
• Lane closures and flaggers, late summer—Highway 27 between I-94 and County Road 82/51 will be an active work zone but will remain open. Expect lane closures, flaggers, workers and equipment.
• Access will be open and maintained to those who live, work or visit within the closed work zone. Expect gravel or grooved road surfaces, flaggers, periodic stops and alternate one-way traffic and use of pilot car. Use the nearest open access to enter or exit the work area. Temporary hard closures will occur to reconstruct the road, bridges and underground structures.

Crews will work in segments and begin the Lake Wobegon Trail bridge between County Road 82/51 and Eighth Avenue East. The road will be closed and impassible until early August as they remove and reconstruct the bridge.
The trail and bridge will also be closed until early August. Trail users are advised to seek alternate routes around the closed work area.

Central Specialties is the contractor for the $19.5 million project. When complete in November, the project will provide a smoother, wider road surface, updated drainage and improved safety for travelers.

If you have any questions, contact MnDOT Construction Project Manager Kirk Allen at 218-828-5739 or kirk.allen@state.mn.us. For more information and to sign up for project email updates, visit the Highway 27 project webpage at mndot.gov/d3/projects/h27osakis.