Overnight lane closures on Highway 71/23 in Willmar next week
WILLMAR, Minn. – There will be nighttime lane closures on Highway 71/23 in Willmar next week for overhead sign replacements, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The closures will take place Sunday, June 30 through Tuesday, July 2, from 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. Work is being doing overnight to minimize traffic impacts.
The sign replacements in Willmar are part of a districtwide project to replace signs along several state highways in southwest Minnesota. MnDOT replaces traffic signs on a 15-year cycle to maximize efficiency. District 8 in southwest Minnesota has 32,000 signs and approximately 2,100 signs are replaced each year.
Many signs are more than 30 years old and no longer meet regulations regarding weight and measure. The public will notice that old and new signs may be in place simultaneously as the installation crew works ahead of the removal crew. Old signs are not immediately removed for safety reasons.
Traffic impacts
The signing crew is a moving operation. Drivers will encounter lane closures as well as equipment entering and exiting the roadway. MnDOT encourages travelers to always drive with caution and to slow down in project areas for their safety and the safety of workers.
Project benefits and cost
Benefits of the districtwide project include compliance with signing standards and enhanced safety. Safety Signs is the contractor, and the cost for the districtwide project is $1,105,442.
Stay connected
- Learn about studies and projects in southwest Minnesota at mndot.gov/d8/projects
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