Designing a construction plan

We are seeking your input on the options for a construction plan. Generally speaking, the less we impact a motorist, the longer it takes to build a road. To better visualize this concept, think of painting your living room.

• If you remove everything off the walls and move the furniture out of the room, you can paint much more quickly, with less effort and less cost.
• If you leave things on the walls and keep the furniture in the room, you can only paint parts of the room at a time. It would take longer to complete and cost more in effort and labor.

If we use staged detours, we can complete this project in one construction season (2026). If we keep Hwy 197 open to traffic, it will extend into a second construction year (2026 & 2027). During road construction, what’s important to you?

• Is it most important that construction of this roadway go as fast as possible?
• Is it most important to keep the highway open throughout construction?

*Note- the City of Bemidji plans to reconstruct Hannah Ave and Middle School Dr in 2025

Answer the Survey to let us know what's more important to you.