What to Know About the Highway 210/Exit 54 Construction Starting Monday

The detour route for the Highway 210/I-94 Bridge Construction Project. (MnDOT)

Fergus Falls, MN – On Thursday, MnDOT held an open house to discuss the bridge reconstruction project at the Highway 210/I-94 Interchange that begins on Monday, April 27.

The work includes replacing the existing two bridges with a single structure; building trails on both sides of the road; constructing three roundabouts, one at each interchange ramp as well as Redwood Lane; and realigning the on- and off-ramps.

Emma Olson, MnDOT Public Affairs Coordinator for District 4, says that on Monday, crews are going to start implementing traffic control devices, with the major detouring of traffic set to begin on May 4, “You’ll see traffic is going to switch from both bridges. You’ll see the north bridge will close and then traffic will switch over to the south bridge and will be head-to-head on (Highway) 210. That’s kind of the way it’s going to be for the duration of the project. And then the ramps will close as part of that as well.”

Olson says the new bridge structure is going to be built where the current north bridge is located. She explains, “The north bridge is really going to be that new roadway. That’s going to be the way we get in and out. So that’s where we’re going to be doing the bulk of the work that’s happening. And then once that’s done, then traffic will switch back to that north side and that’s when the off-line south bridge will come down.”

Also starting May 4, crews will be doing some overnight closures of I-94 for bridge demolition. During those times, the ramps will be opened back up for interstate traffic to pass through. In the daytime, the ramps will be closed again, and I-94 traffic will reopen. When demolition of the north bridge is complete, the ramps will be closed 24/7 until the new roadway is completed.

Olson says safety is the number one reason for any project that MnDOT works on, and this one is no different, “The roundabouts that we’re putting in is probably going to just help move that traffic a lot easier. You’re going to know where you’re going and you’re also going to be able to know where other people are going. Overall, everybody will be able to move through the interchange much smoother and much safer.”

Safety is also the drive behind adding the walking and biking trails to the sides of the road. Olson says, “There’s going to be this great conduit from one side of 210 to the other connecting your town to Walmart. So people are going to be able to get there and be able to walk there safely without concern about being in traffic or having to dodge traffic. They’re going to have a walkway and I think that’s always a great improvement in making sure our roads are built for all users.”

Olson emphasizes that Highway 210 will remain open for the entire duration of the project, which is scheduled to be completed in October.