Construction update: Detour between Scanlon and Carlton begins today

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As part of road construction work started along Highway 45 last week, today marks the beginning of a detour around the section of the road between County Road 3 and Interstate 35, which normally connects Carlton with Scanlon.

Motorists are urged to follow the marked detour route which follows Highway 210 west of Carlton to Interstate 35. Highway 45 is expected to reopen Wednesday, Aug. 26.

Deteriorating road surfaces along the heavily traveled stretch of roadway resulted in a plan by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) to upgrade the surface of the roadway and add some additional safety features as well.

Hardrives, Inc. of Rogers, Minn., will be the prime contractor for the $1,989,000 project, which will involve removing and replacing three inches of pavement along the stretch from Highway 210 to just north of the Little Store in Carlton; then a 3-inch mill and an 8- to 12-inch reclaim along the stretch of roadway leading to just north of the entrance to the Ulland Brothers gravel pit; then continuing with a 3-inch mill and inlay to just south of the Highway 61 intersection.

The portion of the roadway from I-35 to Highway 61 belongs to Carlton County, who will be participating with Mn/DOT on that portion of the project.

The road project will also involve replacing centerline culverts and constructing southbound by-pass lanes at the turnoff to Highway 3 and at the entrance to Ulland’s pit, as well as doubling the size of the Park and Ride lot along with the installation of security lighting. According to Jim Sorenson, Mn/DOT project engineer, the Park and Ride lot will be closed for approximately five days in early September during reconstruction.

The roadwork contract also includes a 3-inch mill and inlay along Highway 33 from Doddridge Avenue to Cloquet Avenue.

Work on the stretch of Highway 33 in Cloquet will begin the week after Labor Day. At that time, traffic will be restricted to one lane of travel, causing occasional delays.

For further information, contact Mn/DOT Project Engineer Jim Sorenson at 218-725-2768.

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