Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Hwy 197

Bemidji

Construction

Construction will take place in coordinated stages between MnDOT and the City of Bemidji. Work will be sequenced to maintain access as much as possible. See details below.

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Current stage

  • Mid-June to late-August: Stage 1B
  • Late-July to mid-August: Stage 1C

Construction updates

Highway 197 Bemidji: staging plan

Project stages

  • MnDOT
    • Stage 1: West end of Hwy 197 (summer of 2026)
    • Stage 2: Middle School Drive (2027)
    • Stage 3: Hannah Avenue (2027)
  • City of Bemidji
    • Stage 1: 23rd Street (completed in 2025)
    • Stage 2: Middle School Drive (2026)
    • Stage 3: Hannah Avenue (2026)

Construction staging plans

Instead of a detour, temporary driving lanes and signals will carry traffic along the workzone

Map showing Stage 1A work on Hwy 197, highlighting the project area where crews will prepare the corridor. Work zones include initial clearing, utility work, and setup of temporary traffic control.
  • Estimated May 4 to mid-June
    • Construct bypass lanes
    • Install crossover and temporary signal at Menards access road
    • Install temporary signal at Hwy 71 intersection

    The project will be in this stage the longest.

    Map showing Stage 1B traffic shifts on Hwy 197. Lanes are redirected to temporary alignments while construction begins on the new roadway section. Work areas are marked for pavement removal and reconstruction.
  • Estimated mid-June to late-August
    • Reconstruct Hwy 197
    • Construct most of the roundabout (all except the northern leg)

Truck detour is in effect during stage 1B

Map showing the truck detour route during Stage 1C of construction on Hwy 197. The detour directs heavy vehicles onto alternate roadways to keep truck traffic out of the active work zone.

This stage will last 3 weeks as crews reconstruct the Hwy 197 lanes at the intersection with Hwy 71

Map showing Stage 1D reconstruction limits at the Hwy 197 intersection. The map highlights closed areas, active work zones, and temporary routes for local traffic.

  • Late-July to mid-August
    • No closure during Beltrami County Fair
    • Reconstruct Hwy 197/Hwy 71 intersection
    • East/West bypass lanes remain open
    Detour
    Map showing the truck detour route during Stage 1C of construction on Hwy 197. The detour directs heavy vehicles onto alternate roadways to keep truck traffic out of the active work zone.
    • Hwy 71 lanes south of the intersection are closed

    Traffic moves back onto the new Hwy 197 lanes while crews construct the north leg of the roundabout and extend Gillette Drive.

    Map showing Stage 1E construction activities at Gillett Drive. The new alignment and reconstruction limits are highlighted, along with local access routes and traffic control points.
    • Mid-August to mid-September
      • Construct northern leg of the roundabout
      • Extend Gillette Drive

    Some traffic impacts remain as crews remove all of the temporary bypass lanes and signals

    Map showing Stage 1F pedestrian and boulevard work along Hwy 197. Locations of new sidewalks, trail segments, and boulevard construction are marked along both sides of the corridor.
    • Mid-September to late-September
      • Remove Hwy 197 bypass lanes
      • Remove temporary signals

    Stage 2 info

    Map showing the City of Bemidji’s Stage 2 work at Middle School Drive, highlighting roundabout construction limits, local access routes, and temporary traffic patterns.

    Stage 3 info

    Map showing the City of Bemidji’s Stage 3 work at Hannah Avenue. The map outlines the roundabout construction area, detours, and traffic control for nearby streets.