About this project
Update
Motorists near the Hwy 61 bridge over the Canadian Pacific Railway south of Red Wing will encounter short-term traffic delays June 20-21 during daytime hours while construction crews place beams on the new bridge.
On Thursday, June 20, crews will be setting beams from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Traffic will remain open during the work, but the brief delays will occur as trucks arrive with the beams and when the beams are lifted by crane and placed on the new bridge.
During that time, the flagging operation will work this way:
- Flaggers will reduce traffic to one lane when the truck carrying a beam pulls up. Traffic will take turns in each direction crossing the bridge during this time. (10 – 15 minutes)
- Flaggers will stop traffic in both directions when the beam is being lifted and set (5 minutes)
- Flaggers will open up Hwy 61 in both directions once the beam is set and the truck is out of the way. (Will likely stay open in both directions for 15 – 30 minutes)
The same process will occur on Friday, June 21, starting at 8:30 a.m., and being complete by 4 p.m. A total of nine beams will be set during the two days. It’s possible the work could be done sooner, but much depends on the rate of work, as well as time spent waiting for gaps between trains to ensure a safe operation.
Summary of work
Construction of a bridge and new left turn lanes is scheduled to begin April 8, 2024 and it is anticipated to be completed in the fall.
Hwy 61 bridge construction
A new bridge is being built over the Canadian Pacific (CP) Railway at the south end of Red Wing. The original bridge was built in 1955. The new bridge will be constructed north of the existing one, allowing traffic to be maintained during construction.
The Mississippi River Trail (MRT) runs along the shoulders of Hwy 61 in this location. The new bridge will include wider shoulders to better accommodate MRT users, as well as provide the appropriate clearance for trains using the CP rail line.
Left turn lane construction
New left turn lanes will be constructed to provide safer access at nearby intersections and commercial driveways at these locations:
- The Hwy 61/Golf Links Dr. intersection will shift roughly 500 feet to the northwest to allow for a new left turn lane to be constructed without impacting the bridge.
- A new left turn lane will be constructed at the Wylie Wilson Trucking entrance.
- A new continuous left turn lane will provide a turn lane for the USG and Cemstone entrances.
More information
A public information information meeting was held on Nov. 29, 2023 in Red Wing. Information about the construction staging and details about the project were shared.