MnDOT is about to begin a project that will add a third lane in both directions on I-94 from Clearwater to Albertville.

 

At an informational open house at the Monticello Community Center Monday evening, MnDOT officials and contracted consultants gave a presentation on the project, which is expected to begin this fall and continue into 2021.

 

MnDOT identified a number of factors before deciding to go ahead with the project. In addition to improving   traffic flow, the reconstruction will improve pavement conditions and upgrade the degraded stormwater infrastructure.

 

The project has been separated into four segments. The first segment, a 5.4-mile stretch from Hwy. 24 in Clearwater to Co. Rd. 8 in Hasty is slated to begin this fall.

 

Next is segment two, a 8.48-mile stretch from Hasty to Hwy. 25 in Monticello.

 

The construction timeline is still undetermined for the other two segments - a 3.15-mile section from Hwy. 25 to Co. Rd. 18 in Monticello and a 7.17-mile  section to Co. Rd. 37 in Albertville.

 

Greg Brown with Kimley-Horn Engineering Consultants said although the last two segments will be done later, the environmental study covers the entire route from Clearwater to Albertville.

 

“The other section will be done when money becomes available,” he said.

 

The new section between Monticello and Hasty will be a concrete median and the addition of east and westbound lanes near the median. The widening for east and westbound lanes from Hasty to Clearwater  will happen on the outside of the roadway.

 

There are no plans to change any of the entrance and exit ramps at Hasty, other than minor adjustments at the base of the ramps.

 

“We will reconstruct the two ramps at Clearwater because of their age,” said Brown. “They need reconstruction, but we’re not really changing the layout of the ramps.”

 

Brown said the new pavement between Monticello and Hasty will be concrete. The pavement from Hasty to Clearwater will be bituminous.

 

Although it is a major reconstruction project, MnDOT expects to keep two lanes open in each direction during the work, except for minor interruptions overnight.

 

The project is going out for bid shortly, with bids received in April and construction beginning in August or September of this year.

 

Brown said most of the work in 2019 will involve widening the roadway, with most of the major construction beginning in 2020.

 

James Gillach, public affairs coordinator with MnDOT, said the entire project is using existing right-of-way. No additional property had to be acquired to add the extra lanes.

 

For more information on the project, check online at:  www.dot.state.mn.us/d3/i4/montitoclearwater/.