Brief traffic stoppages planned July 17-19 at Hwy 61 for bridge beam deliveries at Withers Harbor bridge in Red Wing
RED WING, Minn. – Highway 61 motorists in Red Wing can expect 15-minute traffic stoppages beginning each night at 7 p.m. July 17-July 19 as concrete bridge beams are delivered and set for the Highway 61Withers Harbor Bridge replacement site, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Four large concrete beams will be delivered each night to the Withers Harbor Bridge. Construction crews expect the process to take three to four hours. Traffic in both directions on the southbound bridge will be stopped for approximately 15 minutes so crews can lift a beam off the truck and set them onto the bridge. Once the beam is set, they will let traffic clear out and start the next beam. State Patrol will be directing traffic during the process.
The contractor intends to close Withers Harbor starting July 18 and keep it closed for 2-3 weeks until the crews have poured the concrete bridge deck above the road.
Motorists are reminded they are not able to make left turns off Highway 61 but will be able to follow alternate routes that allow them to make turns, typically right turns, to reach the destinations off the highway.
Motorists also aren’t able to make left turn from southbound Bench Street to southbound Highway 61.
To learn more about this project or others along Highway 61, go to MnDOT’s corridor website, where you can also sign up for email and text message updates, and review information.
Safety
MnDOT advises motorists to slow down and drive with caution.
Drivers traveling too fast and not paying attention are the main causes of work zone crashes. Follow these safe driving tips:
- Obey posted speed limits. The fine for speeding in a work zone is $300.
- Drive undistracted. Avoid using phones, mobile devices, adjusting the radio – even eating – while in work zones.
- Move over. Give workers room to safely complete their work.
- Know before you go. Get real-time information about traffic and road conditions at 511mn.org or download the free 511mn app at Google Play or the App Store.
- Be patient. Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
- Do the zipper merge.
- Avoid making unnecessary lane changes.
- Never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones.
- Expect work zones to constantly change. Day to day you could experience lane shifts, closures, narrower lanes, moving workers and vehicles.
###