Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

News releases

Aug. 26, 2025

Latest news releases

Highway 12 Litchfield to Cokato project ends Sept. 4

WILLMAR, Minn. – The two-year Highway 12 Litchfield to Cokato resurfacing and concrete repair project is nearing completion and the detour will be removed Sept. 4, 2025, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
With the new school year beginning soon, MnDOT would like to remind everyone that Highway 12 is open to local traffic from Dassel to Cokato, including access to the Dassel-Cokato Middle and High Schools. Crews will be striping the roadway and finishing up next week, and drivers are asked to use caution in the work zone and slow down near construction workers and equipment.

2024 project summary: Litchfield to Dassel

  • Highway 12 was resurfaced from Holcombe Avenue in Litchfield to east of Meeker County Road 14 in Darwin.
  • Sidewalks and pedestrian ramps were upgraded to improve accessibility in Litchfield and Darwin.
  • New sidewalk was created from Davis Avenue to Hubbard Avenue in Litchfield.
  • A culvert was replaced at the county ditch 1.5 miles east of the Highway 12 and Meeker County Road 34 intersection in Litchfield.
  • A pedestrian push button station was installed at Davis Street in Litchfield.
  • The concrete was repaired, and asphalt shoulders were replaced on Highway 12 from east of Meeker County Road 14 in Darwin through the Highway 15 intersection in Dassel.
  • The Darwin Rest Stop was resurfaced, and improvements made to sidewalks.

2025 project summary: Dassel to Cokato

  • The concrete was repaired, and asphalt shoulders were replaced from east of Highway 15 in Dassel to the end of the concrete section in Cokato.
  • Sidewalks and pedestrian ramps in Dassel were upgraded to improve accessibility.
  • Ramps along the trail from Dassel to Cokato were upgraded to improve accessibility.

Project benefits and cost
Benefits of the project include a smoother road surface, improved drainage, and improved accessibility and enhanced safety for pedestrians. Duininck, Inc., was the contractor, and the project cost was approximately $11.3 million.

Stay connected

###