The public is invited to attend in Sleepy Eye on Wednesday, April 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Community Center, 115 2nd Avenue NE, or in St. James on Monday, April 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Watonwan County Library, 125 Fifth Street S.

Staff from MnDOT and the contractor will be available to provide more information about the project and answer questions. There is no formal presentation planned, and attendees are welcome to arrive anytime.

The Highway 4 project between St. James to Sleepy Eye includes roadway, bridge, and drainage improvements. In addition to resurfacing approximately 25 miles of roadway, three bridges will be replaced. Additionally, the improvements made to the road will allow Highway 4 from St. James and Sleepy Eye to become a 10-ton route.

Construction on the project is expected to begin in mid- April and continue until early October, weather permitting. Traffic will be detoured during construction. Visit the project website for detour information.

MnDOT graphic

Construction was delayed from 2023 to 2024 as MnDOT worked closely with Brown and Watonwan counties to determine Hwy. 4 needed including making it a 10-ton road instead of seven tons.

Project work includes resurfacing the road, replacing a Big Cottonwood River span bridge and box culvert (bridge) south of Sleepy Eye, repairing drainage pipes and culverts and adding rumble strips and guardrail updates.

Benefits of the project are a smoother road, improved drainage and increased safety.

Detours/closures of Hwy. 4 are expected. Project work will occur in phases.

Ulland Brothers, Inc. was awarded the project with a bid of $18,884,550.58.

Visit the Hwy. 4 St. James to Sleepy Eye project website for more information and to sign up for email updates.

Information will be shared on the MnDOT South Central Facebook group and on X @mndotscentral.

For real-time traffic and travel information in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org or get the free smartphone app at Google Play or the App Store.

MnDOT invites and encourages participation by all. If you need an ASL, foreign language interpreter, or other reasonable accommodation, or need documents in an alternative format (such as braille or large print), please email your request to Janet Miller at adarequest.dot@state.mn.us or call 651-366-4720.