MnDOT to Restore Normal Traffic Signals at Two Ely Intersections March 19

Two intersections along Highway 1/169 in Ely are set to return to normal signalized traffic control this Thursday, March 19, as the Minnesota Department of Transportation lifts temporary traffic measures that have been in place at the locations.

The affected intersections sit on Sheridan Street at Central Avenue and Third Avenue East, two of the more heavily traveled crossings in the city's core. MnDOT has set March 19, 2026, as the restoration date, with weather conditions serving as the determining factor for whether the transition proceeds on schedule.

No alternative date has been announced if weather forces a delay, though MnDOT's weather-permitting caveat is standard for roadway work in northeastern Minnesota, where late-season winter conditions can push into mid-March and beyond.

For drivers navigating through Ely on Highway 1/169, the shift back to standard signal operation means the intersections will no longer require the adjusted maneuvering that temporary controls demand. The Sheridan Street corridor, which serves as a primary route through the city, should see a return to more predictable traffic flow once the signals go live.