Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) maintenance crews will be clearing trees and brush at select locations along Highway 1 from eight miles south of Ely to Isabella beginning January 4th.

Motorists may encounter single lane closures and short traffic delays during clearing operations.

Trees being cleared are on state right of way or U.S. Forest Service land, not private property.

MnDOT says they acknowledge the scenic and historical characteristics of the highways and will limit clearing in the select locations to within 20 feet or less from the edge of the paved highway.  

In a release from MnDOT, they also state, “Clearing trees immediately adjacent to the highway increases motorist safety by decreasing the chance of vehicles colliding with trees in the event of a roadway departure. Clearing also provides better visibility of highway signs and reduced shading of the roadway, which helps reduce winter icing of the highway.”