Drivers traveling through the Highway 61 and 80th Street corridor in Cottage Grove will encounter significant changes beginning Thursday, Aug. 6, as construction crews implement a major traffic shift in the ongoing 80th Street and East Point Douglas Road reconstruction and rehabilitation project.
The traffic changes, which are weather dependent, are intended to accommodate the next phase of roadway construction while maintaining access through the area.
Among the most notable changes, the north Highway 61 ramps will reopen to traffic while the south ramps will close.
Traffic on 80th Street between Hadley Avenue and Ideal Avenue will shift onto the north side of the roadway, allowing crews to begin work on the south side. In addition, westbound traffic will remain closed between Hardwood Avenue and Ideal Avenue, with the corridor open only to eastbound vehicles.
On East Point Douglas Road, all traffic will be moved to the west side of the roadway as construction progresses.
Motorists should also note that access from Hyde Avenue and Hornell Avenue to 80th Street remains closed. Drivers can continue to reach both streets by using the 80th Street frontage road.
City officials reported that several major construction milestones have already been completed. Gravel base stabilization and paving have been finished on the north side of 80th Street and the west side of East Point Douglas Road. Construction has now shifted to the south side of 80th Street between Hinton Avenue and Ideal Avenue.
Trail improvements are also advancing. Paving has been completed on the trail segment along 80th Street between Hinton Avenue and Park High School. The remaining eastern trail sections extending to Ideal Avenue are scheduled to be paved in mid-August.
Crews recently completed storm sewer work at Hyde Avenue and are now focusing on several remaining tasks, including pouring traffic signal bases at Highway 61, continuing curb and median repairs, restoring turf, and installing guardrails on the highway ramps.
Motorists are encouraged to drive cautiously through the construction zone, watch for changing traffic patterns, obey posted detour signs, and allow additional travel time while work continues.
The 80th Street and East Point Douglas Road reconstruction project is expected to continue through the construction season, with periodic traffic changes as work progresses. Residents can follow future project updates through the city's project information page and email notification system via link at https://www.cottagegrovemn.gov/800/80th-Street-Rehabilitation.