Construction on Highway 71 north of Bemidji will officially begin construction on Monday, May 16th.

The construction project will take place between Highway 197 and Winter Sumac Road. Separated into four phases, the complexity of the project comes from the installation of a roundabout at the Highway 71 and Anne Street intersection and the addition of J-turns.

The highway will remain open to thru traffic throughout construction. However, motorists should expect traffic delays, lane closures, and intersection detours. These may change depending on which phase on construction the crew is in.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation encourages all motorists and people going through the construction zone to allot extra time for traveling. Alternate routes will also be established. More information can be found on the MnDOT website.

By — Lakeland News