Highway 61 Construction Business Meeting 7-14-26

The Hastings Community TV hosted a Highway 61 Construction Business Meeting on July 14, 2026, to update stakeholders on the ongoing highway reconstruction project. The project is currently between 30% and 60% design completion, with a construction management general contractor (CMGC), Shafer Hoffman, already hired. The estimated total project cost is approximately $64 million, with about half of the funding secured, including $4 million for utilities, $5 million from the Met Council, and $3 million in ADA funding. The project includes major infrastructure improvements such as two new roundabouts, utility replacements, stormwater retention ponds, and aesthetic enhancements. Early work packages are planned for late 2027, with full construction anticipated in 2028 and 2029. The team is actively pursuing additional grants and considering phasing or scaling back the project if full funding is not obtained. Public engagement and coordination with local entities, including the city, school board, and business owners, remain ongoing to minimize disruption and ensure transparency.