Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

News releases

Sept. 20, 2024

Latest news releases

Hwy 18 north Mille Lacs Lake opens to all travelers by Tuesday, Sept. 24

BAXTER, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation is excited to announce Highway 18 along north Mille Lacs Lake, Aitkin County, will open and the detour will lift by Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 24.

This will mark the completion of the $5.1 million project that began in July to resurface and improve 13 miles of Highway 18 from Highway 169 east of Garrison to Highway 47 in Malmo.

Traveler benefits include:

  • A new, smoother road surface, includes shoulders
  • Updated drainage structures along Highway 18
  • Improved safety—installed mumble/rumble strips and restriped the roadway

MnDOT thanks the communities for their continued patience as Highway 18 was detoured during construction.

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