WILLMAR -- Construction work on the new Highway 23 bypass project in Paynesville has slowed down for the winter.
Grading operations and bridge construction have stopped and will resume in late March, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Other parts of the project are continuing. In the coming weeks, crews will place the bridge beams for the two bridges over the Crow River and remove the temporary bridge that has been in place since early June.
Work also will continue on the two Highway 55 overpass bridges until the bridge beams are put in place in early February.
The 7.5-mile, four-lane divided bypass project is located from Kandiyohi County Road 6 to west of 263rd Avenue in Paynesville and includes grading, paving, construction of eight bridges and lighting. The project is scheduled for completion in August 2012. The project will improve mobility and safety for motorists traveling along the Highway 23 corridor and allows Highway 23 to remain an important connection between Willmar and St. Cloud.
