Detour begins Sept. 5 at southbound Margaretha Avenue north of Broadway Avenue in Albert Lea

ALBERT LEA, Minn. – Motorists traveling southbound on Margaretha Avenue in Albert Lea will encounter a detour north of Broadway Avenue beginning Sept. 5 when crews start making sidewalk improvements, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Margaretha Avenue southbound will be closed north of Broadway Avenue to vehicles and bicyclists during construction. Work is expected to be completed by the end of September. During the closure, people should go north on Margaretha Avenue, west on E. 8th Street and south on Broadway Avenue to rejoin Margaretha Avenue south of Broadway Avenue.

The work will bring sidewalk and other walking areas up to current Americans with Disabilities Act standards at Margaretha Avenue and Broadway Avenue.

This work is part of the project that is replacing the signal and making ADA improvements at Highway 65 (South Broadway Avenue) and Front Street in Albert Lea. That construction started Aug. 5 and is expected to be completed by end of September.

To learn more about the project, visit the MnDOT project website where you can also sign up to receive email and text message updates.

Safety in work zones

Motorists should always be prepared to encounter traffic changes when approaching work zones including lane closures, lane shifts, uneven road surfaces, slow-moving heavy equipment and slow or stopped traffic. To keep everyone safe, drivers must:

Obey posted speed limits. The fine for speeding in a work zone is $300.
Drive undistracted. Avoid using cell 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 www.511mn.org or get the free 511mn smartphone 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.

Stay connected, informed

Check out other MnDOT southeast Minnesota construction projects and sign up for construction updates

###