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Highway 97 Road Construction Updates

What's Happening Posted on November 13, 2025 | Last Updated on March 19, 2026

Hwy 97 projectmap

Hwy 97 safety improvement project resumes March 23rd

Starting Mon, March 23, the final year of the Hwy 97 safety improvement project gets underway in Forest Lake. That means you will see a road closure and detour as crews pick up where they left off last construction season.

Beginning at 5 a.m. Mon, March 23 (weather permitting), Hwy 97 will be closed between Everton Ave. and Hwy 61and will stay in place through fall.
Motorists can bypass the closure using the following detours:
  • Eastbound: Northbound I-35, eastbound Hwy 8, Southbound Hwy 61.
  • Westbound: Northbound Hwy 61, westbound Hwy 8, southbound I-35.
  • Southbound I-35 to Eastbound 97: Broadway Ave, northbound I-35, eastbound Hwy 8 to southbound Hwy 61. 

Hwy 97 will remain open between I‑35 and Everton Ave. and access to homes and businesses inside the closure area will be maintained.
If your home or business can only be reached from Hwy 97 within the closure area, the project team has worked out an access plan and will notify you if anything about that plan changes.
Should you have concerns about accessing your home or business, please reach out to the Hwy 97 project team at 651-964-0091 or info@hwy97improvements.com. 

You can also learn more about the project by visiting the Hwy 97 project website.

This year’s work will continue to focus on rebuilding the roadway, adding turn lanes in a few key locations, and completing several safety improvements. Crews will also build a single‑lane roundabout, construct a new multi‑use trail, and install raised medians throughout the corridor.
We appreciate your patience while we make these improvements. Plan ahead by checking 511, and give yourself additional time to reach your destination. 

Please note that all timeframes are approximate, subject to change, and weather and schedule dependent. 


Please drive with care in work zones:

  • Slow down when approaching every work zone, then navigate with care and caution.
  • Stay alert; work zones constantly change.
  • Watch for workers and slow-moving equipment.
  • Obey posted speed limits. The fine for a violation in a work zone is $300.
  • Minimize distractions behind the wheel.
  • Be patient; expect delays, especially during peak travel times.

More about this project

This is the second and final year of a larger improvement project on Highway 97 between I‑35 and Highway 61. The goal is to extend the life of the roadway, improve ride quality, and make the corridor safer and easier to navigate—for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists alike. The first stage of work, between Hornsby Street and Everton Avenue, wrapped up in 2025.
MnDOT’s ongoing improvements on Hwy 97 between I-35 and Hwy 61 in Forest Lake include resurfacing the road, constructing a single-lane roundabout at Fenway Ave., building a multi-use trail for pedestrians and bicyclists, constructing medians, and adding turn lanes in specific locations. The project is anticipated to be complete in fall 2026

For more information, visit the Hwy 97 project webpage. If you have questions, please contact the project team.
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