Update: Highway 61 now open

Motorists travelling on Highway 61 in the area of Taconite Harbor near Schroeder will no longer encounter an emergency closure and detour.

Highway 61 was reopened following a 14 hour closure at around noon, September 1. 

An inactive railroad bridge located at Taconite Harbor was struck by a truck carrying an oversized load at approximately 1 p.m. on Thursday, August 31.

Due to the instability of the bridge and a concern for public safety, an emergency detour was put in place while crews worked around the clock to remove the bridge.

Stephanie Smith-Christensen of the Minnesota Department of Transportation says, "Thanks to the quick mobilization of everyone involved, Highway 61 is open just in time for the Labor Day traffic headed up the Northshore. A special thanks to Cleveland Cliffs, Lakehead Constructors, and the employees of MnDOT who worked together all night long to reopen the road so quickly."
 
For updated road condition information, call 511 or visit www.511mn.org.