Highway 10 expansion project through Wadena enters year two

All four new lanes of west segment expected to open in fall 2026

BAXTER, Minn. – Travelers should plan for roadwork and possible delays on Highway 10 through Wadena as the second year of the three-year $52 million expansion project begins the week of April 13, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Half of the new four-lane segment west of Highway 71 was constructed in 2025, along with road base work for future Highway 10 westbound lanes east of Highway 71 near Oink Joint Road. This year, MnDOT will continue expansion work both east and west of Highway 71, with all four new lanes of the west segment scheduled to open in fall 2026.

What to expect from April 13 until late October:
Highway 10 will remain open one lane in each direction, except during detours. Motorists should slow down and be prepared for narrow lanes, lane shifts and flaggers. Access to local roads and adjacent connections may change; follow signs.
Early May-June (about 5 weeks)

Detour: Highway 10 closed between Wadena County Road 4 and Harry Rich Drive to excavate and replace poor soils and install Union Creek culvert. Use County Road 4 and Harry Rich Drive: Highway 10 in town detour map (PNG)

June to July (about six weeks)

Detour extends to Verndale: Highway 10 closed between County Road 4 in Wadena and Oink Joint Road to replace Whiskey Creek culvert and other underground work. Use County Road 4 and County Road 23 to Verndale: Highway 10 detour to Verndale detour map (PNG)

July (about three weeks)

Detour: Otter Tail County Road 75 access closed south of Highway 10 to reconstruct the connection and complete J-turn. Use Highways 29, 71 and 10 in Wadena: County Road 75 detour map (PNG)

In late June, the work zone will expand as construction begins on Highway 29 and Highway 71. Crews will resurface and update Highway 29 from the Otter Tail/Wadena county line to Highway 71. Improvements on Highway 71 will focus on the segment south of Highway 10 from Franklin Avenue South to Aldrich Avenue South.

When complete in August 2027, travelers will benefit from a smoother, more durable and expanded four-lane highway. Improvements will also enhance safety, drainage and city services in Wadena.

Visit the project webpage for current impacts, more details, project maps and contacts, or to sign up for email updates: www.mndot.gov/d3/projects/wadena.

For more information on projects in central Minnesota, go to mndot.gov/d3/projects

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