Traffic changes ahead on Highway 65 in East Bethel, Ham Lake
Single lane traffic starts Monday, June 17 followed by full closure Monday, June 23
ROSEVILLE, Minn. – After several weather-related delays, the Minnesota Department of Transportation will finally begin work on Monday, June 17 to replace the Coon Creek bridges between 143rd Ave and 147th Ave/Andover Boulevard in Ham Lake.
Beginning at 1 a.m. Monday, June 17, Highway 65 traffic will be shifted to a single lane in each direction between Bunker Lake Blvd and 147th Ave./Andover Blvd. to begin the bridge replacement. Traffic will remain a single lane each direction until work is complete on both sides of the road. Work is expected to be completed and the road fully opened by 10 p.m. Sun, July 28.
Early the following Monday, June 24th, Highway 65 will fully close between 187th Lane and Viking Blvd to replace the culvert just south of Viking Boulevard in East Bethel. Access will be maintained to local residences and businesses north of Constance Blvd. up to 187th Lane. Traffic also will be allowed to cross Highway 65 between Constance Blvd. and Viking Blvd. but drivers will be unable to travel east on Viking Blvd. since the J-turn south of Viking Blvd. will be unreachable within the closure.
Through traffic will be detoured between Constance Blvd and Viking Blvd during the closure. Motorists should follow the signed detours for north and southbound Highway 65 and for eastbound Viking Blvd.
Both directions of the highway will close for approximately 23 days and should reopen by 7 p.m. Wed, July 17. Motorists should follow the signed detours to avoid congestion.
The detours are as follows:
- Northbound Highway 65: West on Constance Blvd, north on Round Lake Blvd, east on Viking Blvd, north on Co Rd 13 and east on Co Rd 74 to Highway 65. Traffic can then turn north or south on Highway 65.
- Southbound Highway 65: West on Viking Blvd, south on Round Lake Blvd and east on Constance Blvd to Highway 65.
- Eastbound Viking Blvd (Co Rd 22): East on Viking Blvd, north on Jackson St NE, east on Klondike Drive and south on Highway 65 to Viking Blvd.
Maps of the detour routes are available on the Highway 65 website.
There will be one additional five-day full closure later this summer to replace a culvert beneath Highway 65 just south of 169th Ave/Flamingo Drive. Please watch for more details once a date is scheduled for that pipe replacement.
Resurfacing began in early April on nearly 16.5 miles of Highway 65 between County Road 10 in Spring Lake Park and 217th Ave. in East Bethel. Additionally, MnDOT will replace bridges over Coon Creek in Ham Lake and the culverts south of Viking Blvd. and north of Constance Blvd. Full-depth pavement repairs will correct areas of settlement and high-tension cable median guardrail installed between Bunker Lake Blvd. and 237th Ave. will help prevent cross-median crashes. The 19-mile project includes drainage improvements, and curb ramp and sidewalk upgrades at 11 intersections between Blaine and East Bethel and replacement of signal systems at 85th Ave. and 93rd Ave. in Blaine. The project is anticipated to be complete this fall.
Drivers who regularly use Highway 65, are encouraged to use an alternate route if possible, such as I-35W or Highway 47 to avoid congestion and delays.
All construction activities and traffic impacts are weather and schedule permitting and subject to change.
For more information, including upcoming traffic impacts, or to sign up for project updates, visit the Highway 65 project webpage. If you have any questions about the project, contact the project team. Updated road condition information is available by calling 511 or visiting 511mn.org.
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