The Minnesota Department of Transportation has rolled out the cones and fired up the heavy machinery to commence a major infrastructure project affecting commuters in Howard Lake, Waverly, and Montrose, with a hefty price tag of $9.4 million. Work on the Hwy. 12 overhaul kicked off in the early hours this past Sunday to Monday in Howard Lake and will progressively extend its reach to the neighboring cities as the summer months unfold.
Road closures are part and parcel of the construction dance, with Hwy. 12 shuttered overnight from 10th Avenue to Seventh Avenue — locals will detour along a five-block route to circumvent the digging and pipe replacement under the competent hands of the crews from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. until May 3. Then, beginning May 5 through to the heart of July, it's a one-lane tango in both directions as drivers navigate the narrowed paths, gravel under-tire, and the occasional pause at the behest of flag-waving workers.
According to the Wright County Government alert, the Howard Lake portion of the project is just the curtain-raiser for the comprehensive roadworks. MnDOT aims to keep the public in the loop with regular updates, especially as the operations shift focus to Waverly in mid-May and eventually Montrose by mid-July. A return is scheduled in the fall for the application of the final road surface and indelible lines to guide the weary traveler.
Patrons of Hwy. 12 should brace themselves for the usual suspects that come with construction: shoulder and turn lane closures, and a slew of navigational adjustments. The department promises minimal daytime interference, with work primarily slated between the workman-like hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Detailed updates for the Waverly and Montrose stages of construction will be accessible on the MnDOT project page as those chapters of the saga begin later in the summer.
