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UPDATE: Highway 1 south of Ely has reopened with a temporary fix now in place.
There’s been no relief for those encountering a road closure on Highway 1, and frustration is mounting with travelers, area residents, business owners and a state lawmaker.
State transportation officials were unable to say this week just when the highway, part of which was washed out by heavy rains, will be reopened.
“We don’t have any updates on timing,” said Pippi Mayfield, public engagement and communications director for the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
The uncertainty has resulted in growing consternation, particularly for State Rep. Roger Skraba (R-Ely).
Skraba said Wednesday he is looking for answers and that he “is very disappointed with how MnDOT has handled this.”
“I have resort owners, loggers, dirt movers, EMS people, people that live in Isabella, contacting me daily,” said Skraba. “I am pushing as hard as I can.”
At deadline Skraba reported MnDOT finally contacted him and said work would start by Friday morning, July 5. Trucks could be seen working on the site on July 4.
Since June 18, when the Ely area and much of northeastern Minnesota was pelted by several inches of rain, Highway 1 between Pyhola Road and Little Lake Road has been washed out and a detour has been in place.
The road closure begins about six miles east of Ely at mile marker 293.7.
As a result, those wanting to go to the North Shore or homes and cabins on the other side of the detour have been forced to drive to Babbitt and use the Tomahawk Road as a detour.
The closure can turn a short trip until one that takes as long as an hour, and has wreaked havoc with area residents and the travel plans of visitors to the area.
Mayfield said it’s not yet certain at all when the road will be reopened.
“I mean (the road is closed) indefinitely at this point and we can’t honestly give a time frame as we don’t know yet,” she said.
Skraba said there are numerous issues with the current detour, including “atrocious signing.”
“If you’re not from here you have no idea where you are supposed to go,” said Skraba.
Skraba also blasted the condition of the Tomahawk Road.
“That road is a washboard,” he said. “All the holiday traffic is going through Babbitt and it’s just being pounded.”
Skraba said he will continue to reach out to MnDOT officials and has enlisted the aid of State Sen. Grant Hauschild (D-Hermantown) as well.
“I need a plan,” said Skraba. “I understand they brought in engineers the day it was closed and since then it’s been crickets.”
According to a news release, MnDOT is continuing to monitor road conditions in the wake of the heavy rains.
Some roads may have temporary gravel repairs where the roads have previously washed out. Motorists should use continue to use caution where shoulders may be eroded and should not drive around barriers closing off roads. 511mn.org will continue to be updated with the latest conditions.
For more information on projects in northeast Minnesota, on Facebook at https:// facebook.com/groups/MnDOTnortheast and Twitter at @mndotnortheast.
