Welcome to the Project 61 On-Line Update Page

WELCOME TO PROJECT 61: THE NORTH SHORE & COOK COUNTY MN HIGHWAY 61 ROAD CONSTRUCTION ON-LINE UPDATE

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE COOK COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, VISIT COOK COUNTY, BOREAL COMMUNITY MEDIA AND PARTICIPATING AREA BUSINESSES

Welcome Visitors!

Cook County welcomes visitors from all over the world to enjoy the North Shore natural wonders, peace and relaxation in a wilderness setting, outdoor recreation, incredible wildlife viewing opportunities and charming locally owned businesses with friendly hospitality.

We’re undergoing our second year of significant road construction that you need to be aware of to navigate your visit safely. Be patient and you will still enjoy all the great North Shore experiences.

This page is designed to give you up to date information on the location of road constructions, detours on Highway 61 and in the City of Grand Marais, and information on how construction is impacting upcoming events in Cook County.

This page will be updated often so return frequently to learn the latest information.

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Grand Marais Highway 61 Construction Update

From the Minnesota Department of Transportation - September 16, 2021

Construction is nearing completion on Hwy 61 in Grand Marais. Truck traffic detoured on Cty Rd 7 and southbound Hwy 61 vehicular traffic detoured on County 7 to 8th Ave W are expected to be routed back to Hwy 61 starting on Friday, September 17. Once the detours are lifted, the temporary signal at 5th Ave W and Cty Rd 7 will remain in red flashing 4-way stop mode until the signal is removed early next week, as a transition back to normal operation of this intersection.

Finishing work will continue with no traffic impacts. Work remaining includes installing sidewalk and pedestrian ramps, final grading and sodding, signing and striping, bench and bike rack installation, and planting of trees and shrubs.

Please contact us with any questions.

Important reminders for motorists regarding work zone safety:

Slow down when approaching every work zone, then navigate through with care and caution.
Stay alert; work zones constantly change.
Watch for workers and slow moving equipment.
Obey posted speed limits. Fine for a violation in a work zone is $300.
Minimize distractions behind the wheel.
Be patient; expect delays, especially during peak travel times.

For more information on projects in northeast Minnesota, follow us on Facebook at https://facebook.com/groups/MnDOTnortheast and Twitter at @mndotnortheast. For real-time traffic and travel information in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org.

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Hwy 61 near Two Harbors bridge construction to start September 15

From the Minnesota Department of Transportation - September 15, 2021

Construction at Silver Creek on Hwy 61 north of Two Harbors will begin on September 15. Work this fall will include the construction of a temporary bypass at Silver Creek, associated earth retention system and a surcharge for the bridge.

Traffic will be shifted over on Hwy 61 until the temporary bypass is completed at which time traffic will be placed on the temporary bypass through Fall 2022. Motorists should expect intermittent flagging, restricted to Monday-Thursdays only. All work this fall will be limited to the Silver Creek area. Project work will resume in 2022 and continue into 2023.

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Grand Marais Construction Project

Construction began on Hwy 61 in Grand Marais on May 6.

Project Update From MN DOT - September 10, 2021

Hwy 61 mainline paving is now complete with some small parking lot paving and driveway connections that will need to be done once all sidewalk is finished. Sidewalk work will resume Monday, Sept. 13 and will take approximately 3 days to complete. Striping will also start Monday, along with sodding in the 3rd Ave to Broadway Ave area. As sidewalk is completed, there will be final touch-up grading to prep for sodding in the 8th Ave to 3rd Ave section which will take place throughout next week. Final hardware will be getting installed for benches and bike racks and trees and shrubs will begin getting planted as well.
Work is expected to be close to completion and ready to remove the detours by next Friday, September 17. Some minor finishing work will remain with no traffic impacts.
Please contact us with any questions.
Important reminders for motorists regarding work zone safety:
Slow down when approaching every work zone, then navigate through with care and caution.
Stay alert; work zones constantly change.
Watch for workers and slow moving equipment.
Obey posted speed limits. Fine for a violation in a work zone is $300.
Minimize distractions behind the wheel.
Be patient; expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
For more information on projects in northeast Minnesota, follow us on Facebook at https://facebook.com/groups/MnDOTnortheast and Twitter at @mndotnortheast. For real-time traffic and travel information in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org.

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Project Update from MN DOT - July 16, 2021

On Hwy 61, the contractor has been paving mainline in Phases 2A and 2C, which are between 3rd Ave W and Broadway, and the lake side of Hwy 61 between 8th and 3rd Ave W, respectively. Concrete curb and gutter and sidewalk/pedestrian ramp work has been installed in these areas as well. Finish grading and temporary erosion control will follow until sodding dates resume.
Currently, construction is on the northbound (or lake) side of Hwy 61 between 8th Ave W and 3rd Ave W. Starting Monday, July 19, the work will begin on the southbound (or inland) side of Hwy 61. The single lane of northbound Hwy 61 traffic in this area will shift from the inland side of Hwy 61 to the lake side of the road.
Work is nearing completion between on Phase 2A at 3rd Ave W and Broadway Ave, signs and striping are being installed this week. On July 21 or 22, that section will reopen to traffic.
Please contact us with any questions.
Important reminders for motorists regarding work zone safety:
Slow down when approaching every work zone, then navigate through with care and caution.
Stay alert; work zones constantly change.
Watch for workers and slow moving equipment.
Obey posted speed limits. Fine for a violation in a work zone is $300.
Minimize distractions behind the wheel.
Be patient; expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
For more information on projects in northeast Minnesota, follow us on Facebook at https://facebook.com/groups/MnDOTnortheast and Twitter at @mndotnortheast. For real-time traffic and travel information in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org.

Cook County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jim Boyd was interviewed by Fox 21 Television from Duluth on the impact of road construction on visitors and businesses. You can watch the full report by following this link to the Fox 21 website. Image: Fox 21 https://www.fox21online.com/2021/05/05/major-construction-project-underway-along-highway-61-in-grand...

OVERVIEW OF HIGHWAY 61 COOK COUNTY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS OUTSIDE OF GRAND MARAIS

Grand Portage Construction Project

From MN DOT - May 14, 2021
Construction is expected to resume May 17 for Year 2 of the Highway 61 project in Grand Portage, the Minnesota Department of Transportation recently announced.

This year’s work will consist of the construction of Hollow Rock Creek bridge, reclaimed and resurfaced pavement from Reservation River to just prior to Mount Josephine Wayside Rest, intersection improvements, pedestrian improvements and new lighting.

Traffic through the project limits should expect temporary lane and shoulder closures, flagger/pilot car operations and a single-lane bypass at Hollow Rock Creek with temporary signal. There will also be temporary closures of Wayswaugoing, Grand Portage and Hovland pulloffs to allow for pavement resurfacing. Motorists can expect travel on reclaimed surfaces. A local detour at Stevens Road will be needed in late June.

For more information and for up to date information, please visit the project website: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/d1/projects/hwy61grandportage/index.html
Important reminders for motorists regarding work zone safety:
Slow down when approaching every work zone, then navigate through with care and caution.
Stay alert; work zones constantly change.
Watch for workers and slow-moving equipment.
Obey posted speed limits. Fine for a violation in a work zone is $300.
Minimize distractions behind the wheel.
Be patient; expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
For more information on projects in northeast Minnesota, follow MnDOT on Facebook at https://facebook.com/groups/MnDOTnortheast and Twitter at @mndotnortheast. For real-time traffic and travel information in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org.

Graphic: MN DOT

CONSTRUCTION ELSEWHERE ON THE NORTH SHORE.

Highway 61 Resurfacing south of Two Harbors

Resurface almost seven miles of pavement in both directions
Repair or replace culvert
Install new guardrail
Propose to construct a Reduced Conflict Intersection at the south junction of Hwy 61 and County Road 9.

What is a reduced conflict intersection?
A reduced conflict intersection prohibits left-turns and through-movements from side street approaches. Instead, drivers turn right onto the main road and then make a U-turn at a one-way median opening 400 ft. to 1,000 ft. after the intersection. Left turns from the main road approaches are similar to left turns at conventional intersections. See the RCI tab for more information. Please check out this website to view video clips about driving in a reduced conflict intersection.

Graphic: MN DOT

TO GET THE LATEST UPDATES ON TRAFFIC CONDITIONS DIAL 511 OR GO TO mn511.COM.

THE PROJECT 61 ON-LINE WEBSITE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE COOK COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, VISIT COOK COUNTY AND BOREAL COMMUNITY MEDIA.

WE THANK OUR AREA BUSINESSES LISTED BELOW FOR THEIR FINANCIAL SUPPORT THAT MADE THIS PAGE POSSIBLE.

PLEASE CLICK ON EACH BUSINESS LOGO TO VISIT THEIR WEBSITE OR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES. WHEN YOU VISIT THE NORTH SHORE AND COOK COUNTY, PLEASE THANK THEM AND PATRONIZE THESE BUSINESS TO HELP GET THEM THROUGH THE DISRUPTION OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION ON THE NORTH SHORE.