MANKATO – Motorists traveling on Highways 15/60 near Madelia will encounter traffic changes starting Tuesday, June 21, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

With the traffic changes, the contractor can move to the second phase of construction.

Traffic changes include:

• Hwy 60 will remain open with two-way traffic in the westbound lanes.

• Highway 15 will be closed at County Road 58. Traffic will be detoured onto County Road 58, south to County Road 9, and then onto Highway 60/15 for either Highway 60/15 west or Highway 60 east.

• All ramps at the Highway 60/Highway 15 north interchange will be closed.

• County Road 3 interchange eastbound off-ramp will be closed. The on-ramp for eastbound Highway 60 will remain closed.

• There will be an all-way stop condition at the bottom of the County Road 9 eastbound off and on ramps.

• The eastbound ramps at the Highway 15 south intersection will remain closed.

Visit the project’s web page at dot.state.mn.us for detour maps and additional information and to sign up for email updates.

Construction on Hwy 15/60 is part of a two-year project that started in mid-April. The eastbound lanes are under construction until November 2022, and the westbound lanes will be under construction in 2023.

The project includes resurfacing seven miles of Hwy 15/60 from the Hwy 15/60 interchange south of Madelia to the Hwy 15/60 interchange north of Madelia.

The project also includes lighting, drainage repairs, updating guardrail and rehabbing several bridges.

Benefits of the projects include improved pavements and drainage, smoother road surfaces and increased safety along the corridor. Hoffman Construction Company was awarded the project with a bid of $24,988,466.21.

Important reminders for motorists regarding work zone safety:

• Slow down when approaching every work zone.

• Never enter a roadway that has been blocked with barriers or cones.

• Stay alert — watch for workers and slow-moving equipment.

• Obey posted speed limits.

• Minimize distractions.

• Be patient; expect delays, especially during peak travel times.

For updated road condition information, call 511 or visit 511mn.org.