Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Hwy 61 bridge replacement

Red Wing

About this project

Hwy 61 Resurfacing Map
Hwy 61 bridge replacement location and project area

Update

Motorists will begin traveling on the new bridge on Tuesday, Oct. 15. The final paving layer will not be placed until early November, so motorists will experience a small bump at both bridge ends until the final paving is completed.

Demolition work of the old bridge will begin Wednesday, Oct. 16.

Summary of work

Construction of a bridge and new left turn lanes started April 8, 2024 and it is anticipated to be completed in the fall.

Hwy 61 bridge construction

A new bridge is being built over the Canadian Pacific (CP) Railway at the south end of Red Wing. The original bridge was built in 1955. The new bridge will be constructed north of the existing one, allowing traffic to be maintained during construction.

The Mississippi River Trail (MRT) runs along the shoulders of Hwy 61 in this location. The new bridge will include wider shoulders to better accommodate MRT users, as well as provide the appropriate clearance for trains using the CP rail line.

Left turn lane construction

New left turn lanes will be constructed to provide safer access at nearby intersections and commercial driveways at these locations:

  • The Hwy 61/Golf Links Dr. intersection will shift roughly 500 feet to the northwest to allow for a new left turn lane to be constructed without impacting the bridge.
  • A new left turn lane will be constructed at the Wylie Wilson Trucking entrance.
  • A new continuous left turn lane will provide a turn lane for the USG and Cemstone entrances.

More information

A public information information meeting was held on Nov. 29, 2023 in Red Wing. Information about the construction staging and details about the project were shared.

Traffic impacts

  • Golf Links Dr. will be closed and detoured Oct. 3 to late-October. The detour routes are:
    • For northbound Hwy 61 travelers:
      • Left onto Flower Valley Rd.
      • Right onto northbound Hwy 58
      • Right onto Golf Links Dr.
    • For southbound Hwy 61 travelers:
      • Right onto southbound Hwy 58
      • Left onto Golf Links Dr.