Roadwork from Bock to Ogilvie begins May 13, expect detours

The Minnesota Department of Transportation will begin a $6.5 million project that will resurface 12 miles of Highway 23 — including shoulders, underground drainage structures and updates to access — between Mille Lacs County Road 2 in east Milaca and the Groundhouse River east of Ogilvie, Kanabec County.

Crews will complete work in two segments — first, east of Bock to Ogilvie then, east of Bock to Milaca.

Here’s what to expect May 13 until late June 2024, on Highway 23 between Bock and Ogilvie:

- Week of May 13: Highway 23 will encounter periodic lane or shoulder closures as crews prepare the work zone and set up the detour.

- May 20 through late June: Highway 23 will close and detour between Mille Lacs County Road 24 east of Bock and north junction Highway 47 in Ogilvie. The detour goes north of Highway 23 via Mille Lacs County Road 24 east of Bock, Kanabec County Road 26 to Highway 47 back to Ogilvie.

- Local traffic: Highway 23 will remain open to those who live, work or visit those along the work zone. However, expect changes and use of alternate accesses. Hard closures will occur to replace box bridges. Follow signs and enter/exit the nearest to your destination to avoid delays.

- Milaca to Bock: Highway 23 will remain open to all travelers until early July.

Once the first segment is complete and open; work will begin in early July between Mille Lacs County Road 2 in Milaca and Mille Lacs County Road 24 east of Bock. More details to become available closer to start.

For more information, to view detour maps, sign up for email updates or contact MnDOT, visit the Highway 23 project web page: www.mndot.gov/d3/projects/h23milacatoogilvie/.

For your safety and ours— please stay out of barricaded areas, be prepared for delay, add time to your commute or seek alternative routes; expect slow moving trucks entering/exiting work areas in the work zone.

When all lanes open in late September, motorists will benefit from a smoother road surface, updated drainage, and improved access and safety along 12 miles of Highway 23.

For current road conditions in central Minnesota, visit 511mn.org.