First phase of the project to begin in the City of Frazee

Contributed photo
Highway 87 map shows the projected phases and work zones of the Highway 87 project in the Frazee area.

Starting Tuesday, May 31, the Minnesota Department of Transportation will begin the first stages of construction on Highway 87 in the City of Frazee, between the south side of Highway 10 to North River Drive. 

On May 31, Highway 87 will close from the north side of Highway 10 to County Road 10/Juniper Avenue, and traffic will be detoured to Highway 10 and County Road 10/Juniper Avenue. In addition, motorists will encounter lane closures and flaggers in front of the school between Birch Avenue/County Road 29 and North River Drive.

The 2022 “complete streets” project includes resurfacing and reconstructing Highway 87, replacing city utilities, and improving pedestrian and bicycle access and accommodations. The project is being completed in stages in order to minimize local traffic and business impacts, starting with:

Stage 1: North of Highway 10 to Juniper Avenue (Closed, detour on Hwy 10 and CR 10/Juniper Avenue)

Stage 3: In front of the school, from Birch Avenue/CR 29 to North River Drive (Lane closures, flaggers)

After Stages 1 and 3 are completed (approximately end of July, weather and schedule permitting):

Stage 2: Juniper Avenue to Birch Avenue/CR 29, includes work at the railroad crossing (Lane closures, flaggers, short-term detour on city streets during railroad work)

Stage 4: Bridge over Highway 10, from just north of CR 29 to the westbound on/off ramp (Lane closures, automated signal)

Driveway access will be maintained throughout the duration of construction for local traffic. In areas with underground utility work or concrete, there may be some restrictions. MnDOT urges motorists to slow down in work zones and never enter a roadway that has been blocked with barriers or cones.

Gladen Construction, Inc., based in Laporte, Minn., is the prime contractor for the $6.3 million project, which is expected to be completed by the end of October. For more information and to sign up for email updates, visit the project website: mndot.gov/d4/projects/frazee.