‘Massive project’ officially completed
Highway 19 re-opened in Marshall after months of construction
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MARSHALL -- On Monday morning, drivers could travel all the way through Marshall on Minnesota Highway 19 - something that hasn't been possible for months. Highway 19 (College Drive) re-opened to traffic, at the end of a two-year reconstruction project.
In a Monday announcement of the road re-opening, Erika Coudron of R and G Construction thanked local residents and businesses, as well as motorists and surrounding communities for their patience throughout the project.
"This has been a massive project, and it's really probably once in a generation that something like this will happen," said Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes.
"It's a very good improvement for the city long-term," said Marshall Public Works Director Jason Anderson.
In addition to a longer-lasting road surface, the construction made needed updates to city utility lines.
Byrnes said completion of the construction project took lots of coordination among MnDOT, contractors and Marshall residents and businesses. The $25.7 million project was also made possible with $15.4 million in Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant funds.
Reconstruction of Minnesota Highway 19 in Marshall was a project that was in the planning stages years before part of the roadway was closed in spring 2025. In addition to MnDOT rebuilding the highway with a concrete surface, the city of Marshall planned to replace water, sewer and storm sewer lines running underneath the road.
"We're really pleased with how the project went," Anderson said.
In particular, the construction made improvements to a utility "bottleneck" near the intersection of Bruce Street and College Drive.
"It was a nice improvement to the water system," Anderson said.
Besides going through a bottleneck at the Bruce Street intersection, city water lines had a bit of a history of breaks in that area, he said. Sanitary sewer lines in the area were also made from older materials that were showing signs of failure.
As part of construction, MnDOT also made a variety of safety improvements to the highway. The biggest change was construction of a roundabout to replace the three-way intersection of College Drive, South Second Street and Country Club Drive. However, MnDOT also installed downtown pedestrian crossings, as well as concrete islands to direct traffic flow at the intersection of College and Marvin Schwan Memorial Drive, and the intersection of College and West Marshall Street.
Construction on the first half of the project, from Fairgrounds Road to Main Street, took place between May and November 2025, in spite of some severe rains in July that year.
Construction on College Drive from Main Street to Bruce Street started up this spring. The Main Street intersection was closed in May and June. The Bruce Street intersection was closed longer, not reopening to traffic until August.
The road construction meant a lot of changes for Marshall businesses, and people driving in the city. The work changed access points to homes and businesses along the route. Transportation like school buses also had to make temporary changes to routes.
"It helped when Bruce Street opened," said Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce President Brad Gruhot.
However, he said it was positive to have College Drive fully re-opened and normal access to businesses restored.
"It's going to help all the businesses along the way," he said.
Gruhot said now is the time to show support for local businesses along College Drive.
While construction was disruptive for travelers and the Marshall community, "The community was incredibly understanding and patient," Byrnes said.
Communication between contractors and local residents was important for getting through construction over the past two years. It made a difference to have regular meetings and contact with both MnDOT and R and G Construction, he said.
"Everyone knew that progress was being made," Byrnes said.