Second season of three-year improvement project wraps up
BAXTER, Minn. The Minnesota Department of Transportation announces that all four lanes of Highway 10’s west segment in Wadena are now open to traffic, marking the completion of the second year of a three-year expansion and improvement project.
This year’s construction season advanced major improvements throughout the Highway 10 corridor:
- Highway 10 west of Highway 71: Crews installed new underground utilities, including storm sewer drainage pipes and structures, and finished expansion work for all four new lanes of new roadway to 620th Avenue near Bluffton. Work also included completing the J-turn at Otter Tail County Road 75 and constructing the second half of the new roundabout at Wadena County Road 92 near the hospital.
- Motorists should be aware that there are currently no speed limit signs installed on the west segment of Highway 10. MnDOT will install permanent speed limit signs at a later date once a speed study is completed. Until then, drivers are urged to slow down when approaching the roundabout and use extra caution through the area.
- Highway 10 east of Highway 71: Construction included excavation of poor materials and roadway base build-up, new westbound lanes and entrance segments, and completion of half of the roundabout at Harry Rich Drive/Wadena County Road 54. Crews also installed new box culverts at Union Creek and Whiskey Creek.
Completed work on Highway 29 and 71:
- Highway 71: Resurfaced the roadway, improved existing storm sewer system, updated sidewalks and pedestrian crossings, and improved the approaches from Franklin Avenue South to Aldrich Avenue South. The signal system at the Highway 29/Colfax Avenue South intersection was replaced, along with installation of overhead pedestrian flasher systems at Aldrich and Bryant Avenue South.
- Highway 29: From the Otter Tail/Wadena county line to Highway 71, work included storm sewer upgrades, sidewalk and pedestrian crossing improvements, and resurfacing the roadway.
“This has been a significant season of progress with the completed roundabout and four-lane expansion west of Highway 71 and new westbound Highway 10 lanes to the east,” said Tim Paul, MnDOT construction project manager. “We appreciate the continued cooperation from the Wadena community as we move the project forward.”
What to expect this 2026-2027 winter season
- Highway 10 will remain single lane in both directions from Wadena County Road 20/Second Street SW to east of Oink Joint Road.
- The roundabout on Highway 10 at Harry Rich Drive/County Road 54 will be open to all travelers. The north half is complete; the south half will be finished in 2027.
How to navigate the new roundabout
Many drivers may be unfamiliar with the new traffic pattern. MnDOT encourages motorists to follow these important tips when navigating the roundabout:
- Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. Vehicles inside have the right of way.
- Slow down as you approach. Watch for signs, lane markings and pedestrians.
- Do not stop inside the roundabout. Keep moving unless it’s necessary to avoid a collision.
- Use your turn signal when exiting. Signal right as you pass the exit before the one you intend to take.
Next year, MnDOT will complete the final east segment of Highway 10 from Wadena County Road 4 to east of Oink Joint Road. Crews will construct the remaining roadway, medians and entrances, including the second half of the roundabout at Harry Rich Drive/County Road 54; restripe the urban segment to four lanes between County Road 20 and County Road 4; and wrap up any remaining work.
When finished in July 2027, the expanded Highway 10 corridor will provide long-term safety benefits, improved drainage and upgraded city services in Wadena.
Visit the project webpage for more details, project maps and contacts: www.mndot.gov/d3/projects/wadena.
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