MnDOT Completes Two Year Reconstruction in Pelican Rapids

After two years of phased work through Pelican Rapids, Minnesota Department of Transportation crews have wrapped up the primary construction phase of a comprehensive reconstruction of Highway 59 and Highway 108. The project began in April of 2024 and carried a total price tag of twenty two point eight million dollars. City residents and travelers are now able to use all travel lanes, drives, and sidewalks through town, though MnDOT cautions that finishing touches remain and workers will still be on site.

The reconstruction rebuilt and resurfaced the state highways that carry local and regional traffic through the city. More than twenty blocks of underground utilities were replaced as part of the project, addressing aging systems that contributed to maintenance costs and service interruptions. The work also included the addition of new sidewalks and a shared use path, intended to improve safe walking and bicycling connections across town and to better meet accessibility standards.

Traffic flow through two of the town s busiest junctions has been reconfigured with the installation of roundabouts at the intersections of Highway 59 and Highway 108. The project also realigned the junction at County Road 9, changes designed to simplify turning movements, reduce delay, and improve long term safety. These design choices reflect contemporary complete streets principles, which aim to serve motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and freight while integrating necessary utility upgrades.

Local impacts are material and immediate. For commuters, the reopened lanes should restore more predictable travel times and reduce detours that were necessary during construction. For pedestrians and residents with mobility needs, new sidewalks and the shared use path expand safe access to schools, businesses, and community facilities. For businesses downtown the reopening offers a chance to regain foot traffic and more regular deliveries after two seasons of disruption.

Residents should expect crews to remain in the corridor as crews complete final landscaping, pavement markings, final connections, and other punch list items. MnDOT has warned drivers to remain alert for workers and temporary lane adjustments while crews finish those tasks. The agency has thanked Pelican Rapids residents and businesses for their patience through the construction period.

As the project shifts from heavy construction to finalization and maintenance, local officials and MnDOT face the next phase of stewardship. That will include monitoring the new roundabouts and pedestrian facilities for safety and accessibility performance, and ensuring the replaced utilities deliver reliable service. For residents, the completion of primary construction marks a transition toward everyday use of improved infrastructure that aims to support mobility, safety, and economic activity in Pelican Rapids.