Stearns County Road 157 Construction Underway

Bridge removal, culvert replacements, and paving to impact traffic through October.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 1:56pm

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An abstract, impressionistic scene of blurred shapes and muted colors, suggesting the foggy, rainy conditions of a rural road construction site.The hazy, atmospheric conditions of a rural road construction project evoke a sense of the challenges and delays faced in completing critical infrastructure improvements.Albany Today

Construction on Stearns County Road 157 between Albany and Freeport has begun, with crews tackling a bridge removal, culvert replacements, paving, and turf establishment. Drivers will be detoured via Interstate 94 through October as the project progresses.

Why it matters

This road construction project is crucial for maintaining infrastructure and improving traffic flow in the region, but it has faced some delays due to environmental and historical concerns that required additional planning and approvals.

The details

The project includes removing a bridge, replacing culverts, paving the road, and establishing new turf. Drivers will be detoured to Interstate 94 while the work is underway, which is expected to last through October. The project was initially slated for completion in 2025, but concerns over a migratory bird habitat and the historical significance of a nearby railroad trestle caused delays as the county addressed those issues.

  • Construction began on Monday, April 7, 2026.
  • The project is expected to be completed by October 2026.

The players

Stearns County

The local government agency overseeing the road construction project on County Road 157.

Department of Natural Resources

The state agency that identified habitat along the construction corridor suitable for the Wilson's Phalarope, a migratory bird, causing delays to the project.

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What’s next

Drivers should plan for the detour via Interstate 94 to remain in place through the duration of the construction project, which is expected to be completed by October 2026.

The takeaway

This road construction project highlights the importance of balancing infrastructure needs with environmental and historical preservation, as the county had to address concerns over migratory bird habitat and a potentially significant railroad trestle before moving forward with the full scope of work.