Minnesota Department of Transportation

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News releases

May 16, 2025

Latest news releases

Detour on Highway 4 south of Sleepy Eye begins May 27

Three-week detour planned for final project work

MANKATO, Minn. – Highway 4 from Sleepy Eye to Brown County Road 24 will close starting Tuesday, May 27, for approximately three weeks, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. A detour will be in place as crews complete finishing work on the project.

During the closure, traffic will be detoured to Highway 14 and Brown County Roads 8 and 24.

The detour is necessary as MnDOT’s contractor completes remaining work on the Highway 4 St. James to Sleepy Eye project which began last year. Finishing work includes pavement, grading, striping, signing, and approach panel work near the Cottonwood River Bridge. Weather permitting, the work is expected to be complete by mid- June.

Motorists should also expect intermittent lane closures and flagging operations between Brown County Road 24 and St. James.

The Highway 4 project between St. James to Sleepy Eye included resurfacing approximately 25 miles of roadway and replacing three bridges, along with other roadway and drainage improvements. These improvements have allowed Highway 4 between St. James and Sleepy Eye to be designated a 10-ton route.
Ulland Brothers, Inc. is the project’s prime contractor.

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