MANKATO — Highway 93 between Henderson and U.S. Highway 169 is scheduled to reopen to traffic at 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, ending a construction project that has closed the route for more than two years.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation will mark the reopening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1 p.m. Tuesday on the new overflow bridge about 1.5 miles southeast of Henderson. Highway 93 has been closed since April 15, 2024, while crews completed a project designed to reduce flooding and improve the reliability of the route through the Minnesota River Valley.
The work included raising the highway about 8 feet — placing it roughly 1 foot above historic flood levels — reconstructing 3.6 miles of roadway between Highway 169 and Elm Street in Henderson, replacing the Rush River bridge and constructing a second overflow bridge to improve flood relief.
The project had been expected to reopen in late June but was delayed after significant flooding in 2024 slowed construction. Although officials later projected the highway would remain closed until fall 2026, improved ground settlement allowed crews to regain much of the lost time.
MnDOT said motorists should expect occasional minor traffic impacts after the reopening as contractors complete remaining work. Drivers are also urged to watch for wildlife that may have moved into the corridor during the extended closure.