Crane Creek Asphalt, Inc., Owatonna, was awarded a contract to overlay a portion of U.S. Highway 218 North.

The 16-mile stretch extends from Blooming Prairie to Austin.

It will include milling the current surface and overlaying a new coat of asphalt.

The work is scheduled to begin this month, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and be completed in July.

The work will be done one lane at a time. Flaggers will be on-site for lane closures. Motorists are advised to exercise caution.

Crane Creek Asphalt Inc. will be paid $3.35 million for the work.

More details about the project will be announced later by MnDOT.