Wadena community invited to April 7 project open house to learn about 2026 construction

BAXTER, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation invites the Wadena community to a project open house on Tuesday, April 7, to learn about 2026 construction on Highways 10, 29 and 71.

The drop-in-style event will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7, at the Maslowski Wellness and Research Center, 17 Fifth St. SW, Wadena. A formal presentation will not be given; guests may stop by at their convenience.

The MnDOT project team, along with the prime contractor, Mathiowetz Construction, will be available to answer questions about construction and local impacts, including a project timeline and detours.

This is the second of the three-year, $52 million project that will expand Highway 10 through Wadena to four lanes, plus resurface and improve Highways 29 and 71. Crews will continue expansion work on Highway 10 east and west of Highway 71.

Improvements on Highway 71 will focus south of Highway 10 from Franklin Avenue South to Aldrich Avenue South. Work on Highway 29 from the Otter Tail/Wadena county line to Highway 71 will include updating underground storm sewers, sidewalks and resurfacing the road.

When complete in August 2027, travelers will enjoy a smoother, stronger and expanded four-lane highway. Wadena will be safer and easier to get around with updated underground drainage and city services.

Visit the project webpage for more information and to sign up for email updates: www.mndot.gov/d3/projects/wadena.

For more information on projects in central Minnesota, go to mndot.gov/d3/projects

MnDOT invites and encourages participation by all. If you need an ASL, foreign language interpreter, or other reasonable accommodation, or need documents in an alternative format (such as braille or large print), please email your request to Janet Miller at adarequest.dot@state.mn.us or call 651-366-4720.

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