Staff photo by Fritz Busch The new Cottonwood River bridge on Highway 4 south of Sleepy Eye was opened to traffic by the Minnesota Department of Transportation Monday. The Highway 4 project from Sleepy Eye to St. James included 25 miles of roadway, bridge and drainage improvements.

SLEEPY EYE — After eight months of detours on on Highway 14, CR 8 and CR 24, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) removed the Highway 4 detour south of Sleepy Eye Monday.

The $18.9 million project included replacing 3 bridges including the Cottonwood River bridge and two smaller bridges, bituminous mill and overlay of 25 miles of highway with 10-ton capacity, lighting, draining and safety improvements including rumble strips, updated guardrail and drainage pipe and culvert repair that began last April.

The MnDOT contractor, Ulland Brothers, Inc. is expected to return next spring to complete minor finishing work, according to MnDOT.

Originally a 7-ton highway project, Brown and Watonwan County officials wanted a year-round 10-ton road which delayed the project a year.

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