Old Hwy 12 closed May 17-28 for Willmar Wye project

Old U.S. Highway 12 in Willmar will be closed for two weeks, beginning Monday, May 17. The Willmar Rail Connector & Industrial Access project, also known as the Willmar Wye, will be reconstructing the old Hwy 12 and Kandiyohi CR 5 intersection, south of the BNSF Railway crossing. The intersection will be open only to northbound and southbound traffic. A one-way flagging operation will be in place during daytime construction. Two-way traffic will be restored during nighttime hours. Construction at the intersection is expected to conclude May 28, weather permitting.

People will be able to access businesses south of old Hwy 12 by exiting north from the roundabout west of the new Hwy 12/CR 5 roundabout. See attached map.

The Willmar Wye is a public-private partnership between the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Kandiyohi County, City of Willmar, Kandiyohi/Willmar Economic Development Commission, and BNSF Railway, to build a new rail line on the west side of Willmar. The additional rail line will provide a direct connection between the Marshall and Morris Subdivisions of the BNSF freight rail network as well as freight rail access to the City of Willmar’s industrial park.

The project includes the realignment of Hwy 12 and the reconstruction of Hwy 40, including two new bridges, and the construction of two single-lane roundabouts.

Find weekly updates and more information about the project at mndot.gov/d8/projects/willmarwye.