Two-year Highway 12 Litchfield to Cokato project begins July 8

WILLMAR, Minn. – The two-year Highway 12 Litchfield to Cokato resurfacing and concrete repair project gets underway Monday, July 8. The first detour of the project also begins July 8 when Highway 12 will close from Litchfield to Dassel for approximately two weeks. A map of the work zones and three detour routes is attached and additional information about traffic impacts during the project are detailed below.

2024 project summary: Litchfield to Dassel

Highway 12 will be resurfaced from Holcombe Avenue in Litchfield to east of Meeker County Road 14 in Darwin.
Sidewalks and pedestrian ramps will be upgraded to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards in Litchfield and Darwin.
New sidewalk will be created from Davis Avenue to Hubbard Avenue in Litchfield.
A culvert will be replaced at the county ditch 1.5 miles east of the Highway 12 and Meeker County Road 34 intersection in Litchfield.
A pedestrian push button station will be installed at Davis Street in Litchfield.
The concrete will be repaired, and asphalt shoulders will be replaced on Highway 12 from east of Meeker County Road 14 in Darwin through the Highway 15 intersection in Dassel.
The Darwin Rest Stop will be resurfaced, and ADA improvements made to sidewalks.

2025 project summary: Dassel to Cokato

The concrete will be repaired, and asphalt shoulders will be replaced from east of Highway 15 in Dassel to the end of the concrete section in Cokato.
Sidewalks and pedestrian ramps in Dassel will be upgraded to meet ADA standards.
Ramps along the trail from Dassel to Cokato will be upgraded to meet ADA standards.

Traffic impacts and detours
The work zone extends from Litchfield to Cokato and segments of Highway 12 will close during the different phases of construction requiring three separate detours (see attached map).

In 2024, crews will be working from Litchfield to Darwin for most of the summer. Work will take place under traffic except during the Phase 1 Detour, when Highway 12 will be closed from Litchfield to Dassel.
July 8, 2024, Highway 12 will be closed from Litchfield to Dassel and a brief detour will be in place for culvert replacement work east of Litchfield, and concrete repair of the Highway 12 and Highway 15 intersection. Traffic will be routed on County Roads 34, 11, and 4. Work is expected to take two weeks.
July 22, 2024, Highway 12 will be closed from Darwin to Dassel. Traffic will be detoured to Highway 15 and County Roads 14 and 21 until October 4, 2024.
Highway 12 will be closed from Dassel to Cokato during construction in 2025. Traffic will be routed to Highway 15 and County Roads 21 and 3.
During road closures, people who live, work, or visit homes and businesses along the project route will have access to/from Highway 12, usually from the nearest intersection to their location. Expect changes and the use of alternate entrances as work progresses. Use caution and be alert for workers and heavy equipment as Highway 12 will be a busy work zone.
Construction dates are subject to change depending on weather and other unforeseeable circumstances.

Project benefits and cost
Benefits of the project include a smoother road surface, improved drainage, and enhanced safety for people who walk and bike. Duininck, Inc., is the contractor, and the project cost is approximately $11.3 million.

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Learn more about the Highway 12 project at mndot.gov/d8/projects/hwy12litchtocokato .
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