City and tourism officials planning for construction in 2019-2020

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is returning to Grand Marais on Thursday, November 7 with the latest—and final—version of the Highway 61 re-design through the city of Grand Marais. 

This latest meeting is a continuation of the work begun in February 2016 when a MnDOT design team, including consultants CJ Fernandez, a highway architect and Jason Aune of Aune Fernandez Landscape Architects and Mike Fischer of LHB, Inc., shared concept designs. 

There was a large turnout for a February 2018 public meeting with MnDOT, at which the agency presented plans for what Fernandez described as the “geometric plan” for the highway corridor. At a city council meeting at that time, Fernandez said the geometric plan was the “core” or the “spine” of the project. 

MnDOT officials and city representatives hope for a large turnout at this meeting as well. Citizens and business owners are encouraged to attend the meeting at City Hall, Wednesday, November 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. 

MnDOT staff will share details about the project, construction phasing, traffic control and will provide an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and learn how to stay informed/involved with the project. Anyone with questions for MnDOT about the plan may call  (218)-725-2708. 

To see the MnDOT project page, click here. 

To see a MnDOT concept video of the project going through the city, click here. 

More information on the project also available from Patrick at [email protected] or (218)-387-1848.

If you are unable to attend this meeting, the plans are available for viewing at City Hall anytime during normal business hours. 

WTIP's Rhonda Silence spoke with City Administrator Mike Roth and Visit Cook County Director Linda Jurek about the upcoming construction work and its impact on the city.