highway 61 reconstruction project

Unexpected text a reminder of positive changes to Lake City

Aug 11, 2021

Monday afternoon (Aug. 2) I received the following text from friends returning from a family visit in Winona: “We are heading back to Mpls. Passing thru Lake City (heart emoji) so beautiful. As someone who has lived along the city’s Lakeshore Drive since B. U. 61 (Before Upgrade of 61), I...

Garden clubs fill planters around town

May 26, 2021

Members of two local garden clubs filled new and existing planters around Lake City with flowers on May 18. Many of the planters filled by the Gardenaire and Bitttersweet garden clubs were added during the Highway 61 reconstruction project last year. Pictured are some flowers in one of the new...

Downtown crash results in injury, property damage

Mar 17, 2021

Downtown Lake City Saturday night was the scene of a car accident that left one person injured and caused damage to a parked car and public property. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a Toyota Rav 4 was southbound on Lakeshore Drive at around 10 p.m. March 13 when it crossed the center line...

Committee seeks help, ideas for filling new banner holders

Dec 16, 2020

With the Hwy. 61 project complete, we have enjoyed walking and driving along the new look of Lakeshore Drive. Now it’s time to add some flavor that is unique to Lake City. A small committee has formed to explore ways and means of creating and funding a lamppost banner program to celebrate Lake...

Mast arm arrives, restores city pride

Nov 18, 2020

A traffic signal mast arm that had to be special ordered after a design change on the Highway 61 reconstruction project has arrived. On Nov. 17 a technician was working above Lakeshore Drive on the arm and the traffic lights it will hold aloft at the intersection of Lakeshore Drive and Marion...

Ribbon cut, road re-open

Nov 4, 2020

Highway 61 in Lake City ceremonially reopened Thursday, Oct. 29, with a ribbon cutting ceremony, then it reopened for real. Michelle Larson, executive director of the Lake City Chamber of Commerce, was the emcee for the afternoon gathering of of local officials, representatives of the Minnesota...

Any day now, weather permitting

Oct 28, 2020

“(W)ithin a few days, weather permitting.” That was the estimate Tuesday for how long it would be before traffic was once again allowed to travel on Lakeshore Drive between Lyon Avenue and Grant Street. It’s the third and final stretch of a rebuild project that extended from the pier concourse...

MnDOT: Hwy. 61 paving done, overall project 95 percent complete

Oct 21, 2020

Roadway paving is now complete on the Highway 61 reconstruction project, according to an Oct. 20 project update email from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Also completed recently were the bike trail, concrete sidewalk, and irrigation system along Section 3 of the project, which...

Paving progress on Section 3

Oct 14, 2020

An aerial photo by Steve Brown taken Saturday, Oct. 10 shows bituminous surface covering much of Section 3 of the Highway 61 reconstruction project. The most recent project update email from the Minnesota Department of Transportation said the project was on track for completion by early November,...

A fortunate city, indeed