The event will take place at Douglas County Public Works.

ALEXANDRIA — The public has been invited to an open house to learn more about the future reconstruction project on Highway 29 between Eighth Avenue and 18th Avenue.

The open house will be held on Tuesday, March 11, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Douglas County Public Works, located at 526 Willow Dr. in Alexandria.

The open house is a cooperative effort between the City of Alexandria and the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

There will be no formal presentation — the public can stop in whenever it’s convenient between 5 and 7 p.m.

During this time, project staff will be available to provide information about the overall project concepts, projected timeline, community and traffic impacts during construction, and to answer questions.

The Highway 29 project is scheduled for construction in 2028. The project includes reconstruction, sidewalk upgrades for improved pedestrian access and traffic signal work.

The project's total cost estimate is $10.5 million.

MnDOT partnered with the City of Alexandria to help identify the current issues and create a local vision for the corridor. The Study Review Committee helped MnDOT ensure that community values are represented in the development and evaluation of project alternatives, while fostering conversations within the community.

According to information found on the MnDOT website, there were 33 crashes, including two involving bicyclists, in the area affected by the project from 2017 to 2022. All intersections had a crash rate below statewide averages.

There are 34 access points along the corridor, as well.

Highway 29 was identified as a city bike route per the 2010 Pedestrian Enhancements Study. Currently, no infrastructure exists beyond sidewalks and crosswalks, the MnDOT website reads.

Additionally, the remaining service life of this segment of the highway's pavement is low, meaning it will only last up to three more years.

For more information about the project, visit mndot.gov/d4/projects/hwy298thave .

MnDOT invites and encourages participation by all. If you need an ASL, a foreign language interpreter, or other reasonable accommodation, or need documents in an alternative format (such as braille or large print) for this email or event, email your request to Janet Miller at [email protected] or call 651-366-4720.