Highway 18 closes, detours for bridge work east of Brainerd July 13

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is warning us of a detour coming in the  middle of July. Motorists will encounter a bridge closure and detour starting on Monday, July 13th. Crews will begin to replace the Highway 18 Portage Creek box culvert bridge effecting travel between Brainerd and Garrison on Highway 18.

The detour will send traffic on Crow Wing County Road 8 east of Brainerd, County Road 26 and Highway 169 to Highway 18 in Garrison. Motorists should follow detour signs.

There will be a full closure at the bridge between Eagle Creek Lane and Plott Road. Highway 18 will be open to local traffic west and east of the closed work area.

The $666,335 project will improve drainage and replace the aging structure. Work on the box culvert is expected to last through August.

Slow down and use caution in work zones. Motorists are asked to stay out of closed work areas, watch for workers and equipment.

For more information about this project, visit www.mndot.gov/d3/projects/2020/h18 or contact Nate Walton, project manager, at nathan.walton@state.mn.us or 218-537-3144.