BEMIDJI — The Minnesota Department of Transportation has announced that the State Highway 197 and U.S. Highway 71 intersection in Bemidji is now reopened to traffic, as it moves into the next stage of the project. Kicking off in early May, MnDOT has been focusing on reconstructing a portion of Highway 197 — Paul Bunyan Drive — between the entrance to L&M Fleet Supply and U.S. Highway 71. ADVERTISEMENTCrews will continue pouring concrete in the driving lanes on Highway 197 for the next few weeks in preparation for Stage 1D, when traffic will begin using the "new" Highway 197 driving lanes. Crews continue pouring concrete in the driving lanes at the U.S. Highway 71 intersection in Bemidji, which reopened on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. Once traffic moves onto the new Highway 197 lanes, crews will construct the north leg of the roundabout and extend Gillett Drive.