5-hour detour begins at 8 a.m. today on Highway 71 north of Willmar

WILLMAR – A temporary detour on a section of U.S. Highway 71, just north of Willmar, begins at 8 a.m. today.

The detour is expected to last five hours, according to Sandra Schlagel, public affairs coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Transportation District 8 office in Willmar.

The road will be closed between the U.S. Highway 71 North/Highway 23 “split” and Kandiyohi County Road 27.

Traffic will be routed on county roads 27 and 9 during the short detour.

The temporary detour is part of the Highway 23 resurfacing project, which allows crews to install rumble strips and striping.

MnDOT urges motorists to always drive with caution, and reminds them to slow down in the work zone and never enter a roadway that has been blocked with barriers or cones.

Comments made on the West Central Tribune’s Facebook page from residents who live along the detour route indicated concern about motorists driving the speed limit and being aware of people exiting their driveways.

For more information visit the project webpage at www.mndot.gov/d8/projects/hwy23willmarnewlondon .

For updated statewide road conditions and construction information, call 5-1-14 or visit 222.511mn.org