Highway 135 Tree Clearing Project Starts April 4

Drivers who travel along Highway 135 on the Iron Range - near the Polymet Mine entrance - will want to know about a month-and-a-half long tree clearing project that's getting ready to start this week.  According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, a sub-contracted work crew (YTS Companies) will commence the project on Wednesday, April 3 - on Highway 135 between the Polymet Mine entrance and Lehto Road (mile markers 23.2 to 27.45).

During the project, motorists can expect some daytime flagging operations, shoulder closures, and potential delays.  The crews will be working to completely remove trees and brush from within 45 feet of the highway in order to improve safety, increase sight distance, and increase solar exposure to the road surface in winter months (stimulating road drying - leading to less icy conditions).

Residents that live in the area were already notified about the project last week.

The work is expected to wrap-up by mid-May.