Material Shortage Causing Delay in Road Construction Projects in Detroit Lakes

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – Road construction projects in Detroit Lakes are experiencing delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The city had hoped to begin reconstruction projects on West Willow St, Holmes and Frazee Street, but Mayor Matt Brenk says the project is up in the air because the city is having a hard time getting raw materials. “We are having some difficulties getting iron and steel, we’re going to try to go to bid in the next week or so, but we’ll have to play it by ear.”

During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic steel mills shut off production fearing a deep recession. Demand, however didn’t stop, steel prices are up by more than 200% since March of 2020 because of the shortage.

Additionally a shortage of workers with commercial driver’s licenses has meant difficulties in getting supplies shipped.