Culvert replacement project completed on Freeborn County Road 26 west of Hollandale

Motorists can begin traveling through on Freeborn County Road 26 west of Hollandale after crews completed a culvert replacement that had detoured the county road, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The county road has reopened after being detoured for approximately two weeks. The detour was part of a project on Hwy 251 that is replacing culverts, repairs at a bridge and repaving the highway between Interstate 35 and Hwy 218.

A detour on Hwy 251 continues between Hollandale and I-35.

The detour affects traffic west of Hollandale:

• Hwy 251 through-traffic and traffic to Hollandale travel north on Freeborn County Road 30 to Freeborn County Road 35 west to I-35 south to Hwy 251.

The detours are needed so crews can dig up the road to remove and replace culverts. People will still have access to their businesses and homes along the highway.

 Project benefits

• Resurfacing approximately 16.7 miles of Hwy 251 from I-35 east to Hwy 218, mostly in Freeborn County, with a small portion also in Mower County
• Replacing approach panels on the bridge over I-35
• Replacing culvert/pipes along the route
• Improving ADA access in Hollandale
• Replacing guardrail on Hwy 251

The project, which is scheduled to be complete in late October.  Motorists can find more information on the plans and sign up for email updates at the MnDOT project website at www.mndot.gov/d6/projects/hwy251-resurfacing/index.html or join MnDOT’s SE Minnesota Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/MnDOTsoutheast/.

Following guidance from state and federal health officials, and to prevent further spread of COVID-19, crews will maintain social distancing practices while working.