Road construction begins at Itasca Park

As traffic has increased in Itasca State Park, so has the need for improved roads, according to Minnesota DNR officials.

Continuing into September, road construction work will take place on Main Park Drive along the east side of Lake Itasca from the North Entrance to the Clearwater/Hubbard county line (near the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center). Additional road construction is scheduled to begin along Wilderness Drive after the Main Park Drive work is completed.

Public access to certain sections of the park will be carefully controlled along the construction routes to ensure visitor safety. Some areas will be closed, and visitors will be rerouted through and around the park as construction work is underway. The DNR asks visitors to observe road closure signs and detour routes during the construction, and to be patient with minor delays as the culverts are replaced and the road is resurfaced.

Although the construction will cause inconvenience at times, the DNR said the improved condition of the road will make future visits more enjoyable while maintaining the scenic nature of this road.

Park visitors can stop at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center or Douglas Lodge for construction updates.