New Highway 212 will open ahead of schedule.

According to Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Project Manager Charles Cadenhead, contractor Zumbro River Constructors (ZRC) has indicated that it plans to have the entire highway open by July. The project was initially slated to wrap up in September.

Cadenhead said that extended work hours were negotiated with the affected cities, county and state to get the project done sooner.

When the highway opens to just west of County Road 147, there will be a few projects yet to be finished. Work at Powers Boulevard and Pioneer Trail, as well as the interchange at County Road 147, will continue through August, Cadenhead said.

Meanwhile, MnDOT and ZRC are getting ready to kick off this year’s construction season.

“There is some side stuff going on now,” said Cadenhead.

Work will begin in earnest as soon as some more snow melts and the ground defrosts. According to Cadenhead, concrete paving will start up by the end of April. Asphalt plants will gear up in May.

So far, MnDOT officials are happy with the section of roadway that has opened to date.

“Everything’s great,” said Cadenhead. “People are loving the time savings.”

Despite the few issues they have received feedback on, Cadenhead said the “pros heavily outweigh the cons.”

When the weather warms up, they will be striping the roadway from the Highway 41 exit ramp to southbound 41 to help aid in some of the turning frustrations drivers have experienced.

They also plan to do some dual signage for a time after the temporary 312 is renamed to the official 212. Cadenhead said he hopes that will quell some of the potential confusion.

-Mollee Francisco, staff writer