Grand Marais Highway 61 construction detours to open Friday

Since the Highway 61 project began in 2020, WTIP Community Radio has been checking in periodically with Minnesota Department of Transportation project engineer, Ed Welch.

On Monday, September 13, Welch told WTIP that MnDOT contractor, KGM Construction, is on track to complete the project as anticipated in “mid-September.”

On Friday, September 17, the concrete construction barriers will be removed and the entire section of Highway 61 through the City of Grand Marais will be open.

There is some remaining finish work in the road right-of-way, such as the planting of approximately 60 trees, installation of bike racks and some other sidewalk finishing, but Welch told WTIP that should not interfere with traffic.

Here’s WTIP’s Rhonda Silence speaking with Engineer Ed Welch in what will likely be the last interview on the Grand Marais Highway 61 construction project.

Rhonda Silence September 15, 2021