Minnesota Department of Transportation

Tree and brush cutting for Highway 61 project has begun - MnDOT

Jan 15, 2020

Hwy. 61 motorists in Lake City will encounter temporary lane closures and construction crews removing trees and brush along the route beginning Jan. 15, as they prepare for this spring’s reconstruction project, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). A project...

MnDOT, Chamber meet with businesses about Highway 61 project communication

Jan 15, 2020

Cindy Morgan of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and Michelle Larson of the Lake City Chamber of Commerce have been going door-to-door to businesses in the area expected to feel the greatest impact from the upcoming Highway 61 reconstruction project. Their goal is to meet with all...

MnDOT: Highway project tailored to Lake City’s unique circumstances

Dec 26, 2019

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has disputed an attorney’s assertion that work on the Lake City Highway 61 reconstruction project, as it’s currently planned, is the costlier option. In a November email to the city’s engineering firm, attorney Dan Biersdorf of Biersdorf and...

Lawyer: Businesses might sue over Hwy. 61 project road closure

Dec 19, 2019

A Minneapolis attorney representing at least one local business owner has warned the city that the cost of compensating businesses for the loss of access during the 2020 Highway 61 reconstruction could be higher than what will be saved by completing the project in one year instead of two. In a Nov...

After high bid, council-members reiterate support for project

Dec 11, 2019

A majority of the Lake City City Council Monday expressed support for proceeding with the Highway 61 reconstruction project following news that the one bid for the project was higher than expected. The lone bid on the project was $14.5 million from Rochester Sand and Gravel. Cost estimates prior...

Letter: Highway 61 project should take place over two seasons

Dec 4, 2019

To the editor: With only one contractor interested in bidding the Lake City Highway project in 2020, it should be obvious that something is wrong with the overall plan. This is an opportunity for city staff, council personnel, and our mayor to reconsider a project they are forcing on our community...

Letter: Time to rethink highway project

Dec 4, 2019

To the editor: I read in last week’s Graphic that the bid for Lake City’s new two-lane highway came in over $2.5 million over budget with Lake City contributing $3.5 million to the project. Isn’t it time to maybe rethink the whole project? If we keep the four-lanes the state will overlay it free....

Highway 61 bid higher than expected

Nov 27, 2019

The cost for the Highway 61 reconstruction project is headed upward, but it’s not clear what, if any, additional costs will be borne by the City of Lake City. Rochester Sand and Gravel was the sole bidder for the 2020 Highway 61 reconstruction project in Lake City. The bid amount is just under $14...

Safe routes to school planning underway

Oct 30, 2019

This spring, Lake City Public Schools was one of five recipients of a planning assistance grant as part of the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s (MnDOT) Safe Routes to School Program. Safe Routes to School is an international program designed to promote walking and biking to school as a way...

City approves cooperative construction agreement on Highway 61 project

Oct 23, 2019

By a 6-1 vote, the Lake City City Council approved a cooperative construction agreement between the city and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for the 2020 Highway 61 reconstruction project. The agreement lays out construction and maintenance responsibilities and is required...