Motorists traveling along Highway 11 West between Loman and Indus will likely experience delays as a project to widen the roadway and replace culverts is underway, according to a Minnesota Department of Transportation official.
Todd Vonasek, who manages the $6.5 million project, said it is likely that orange cones and heavy equipment will be present along the 8.7-mile stretch of highway until well into the fall.
“It will take a few months to complete,” Vonasek told The Journal. “Because of any possible unforeseen situations and circumstances, we don’t have a definite timeline for the project.”
He explained that installing new culverts and replacing existing ones is the first phase of the project. After the culverts are in place, widening and repaving the highway portion of the project will begin. Crews will also provide a mill and overlay in the highway.
“There are several steps involved in this project,” Vonasek said of the efforts that began July 9.
And while there are only three weeks under the project’s belt, Vonasek said it is something that has been in the works for “quite some time.”
Because of the weight of cargo traveling along the corridor of highway, Vonasek said the stretch has been eyed by MnDOT as a risk section.
“We will be bringing (the corridor) up to a 10-ton route,” he said.
A public meeting held in Loman Monday focused on project work schedules, time frames, traffic control and potential detour plans. Vonasek said the meeting was poorly attended, but “that’s a good thing.”
“We take it as it means people aren’t disgruntled. Hopefully, they understand and they have no concerns,” he explained. “We’ll continue to have these meetings as the project progresses, but we’re hoping for complete cooperation from people that travel the highway. Lack of concern is a huge compliment to Gladen Construction (the project’s contractor) and MnDOT for doing good preparatory work.”
Currently, gravel surfaces and flagging operations are set up on the stretch of roadway and Vonasek urges caution to be taken to ensure everyone’s safety.
“That is our office out there,” he said. “Patience is requested and appreciated for not only the worker’s safety, but for those traveling as well.”
For information on state road conditions and construction, visit www.511mn.org or call 511.
