BEMIDJI — The Minnesota Department of Transportation will host two open house sessions to discuss the Highway 197 project, with work already underway to transform the main business corridor.
The open house sessions will be at MnDOT's Bemidji headquarters, 3920 Highway 2 West, on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Each session will include a brief presentation and time for questions and discussion with project staff, according to a release.
The project is slated to last three construction seasons, with city crews tackling a roundabout build on an access road near Bemidji Middle School in 2025.
The city is slated to build two more roundabouts in 2026, with MnDOT's roundabouts expected to begin construction in 2027.
"The projects were originally intended to be complete in two years with the city doing their portion in year one and MnDOT in year two," stated a project outline. "That plan needed to be adjusted due to funding delays, which pushed both the city and MnDOT portions to be spread over two years each."
The project work also includes improved pedestrian facilities with a 10-foot multi-use trail on both sides of the highway, updated lighting, a realignment of Gillette Drive near Bemidji's airport and turning lane improvements.
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