Temporary bypass work continues on Hwy 197 in Bemidji, delays expected
Single-lane traffic is moving through a bypass north of Hwy 197, with no Memorial Day work and paving set for early June. Delays are expected through Bemidji.
Drivers on Highway 197 in Bemidji are already moving through a temporary bypass north of the corridor, and MnDOT says they should expect lane closures, reduced speeds and delays as the work zone shifts toward its next phase.
Crews began the project May 4 and are now in Stage 1A, building temporary lanes and a crossover to keep single-lane traffic moving through the construction area. MnDOT said there will be no work over Memorial Day weekend, but paving is scheduled to begin in early June, which should mark the next visible change for motorists using the route near the airport and Menards area.
The current 2026 work zone runs from Gillette Drive Northwest to the U.S. Highway 71 intersection. Later in June, Stage 1B is expected to bring full reconstruction of Highway 197 along with a new roundabout at the Menards intersection. MnDOT also plans a regional truck detour for heavy vehicles, while additional short-term detours for all traffic are scheduled later in the summer during Stages 1C and 1F. Each of those detours is expected to last about two to three weeks.
The larger project stretches beyond this summer’s traffic impacts. MnDOT and the City of Bemidji say six roundabouts are planned between 2025 and 2027, with MnDOT’s portion replacing signalized intersections at Hannah Avenue, Middle School Drive and the Menards intersection. The project also includes a 10-foot multi-use trail on both sides of Highway 197, upgraded corridor lighting, realignment of Gillette Drive Northwest and turn-lane improvements.
MnDOT awarded the 2026-27 work to Reierson Construction with a bid of $16.8 million. The agency says the paving has to be resurfaced because it is nearing the end of its service life. The project grew out of a 2019 corridor study that was rejected by the Bemidji City Council, followed by a renewed effort in 2021 and a community review panel that helped shape the final design.
For business access questions, the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce is serving as the business liaison. MnDOT is also holding weekly public meetings on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at MnDOT Headquarters, 3920 Hwy 2 W in Bemidji. Motorists in the work zone should also watch for enforcement: violations carry a $300 fine.
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