HENDERSON — Minnesota officials have hired a contractor to start stabilizing a highway closed by flood and mudslide damage.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation said that GeoStabilization International of Grand Junction, Colo., has begun work on Highway 19. The east-west route that crosses near Minneapolis has been closed since June. Department officials say it’s expected to reopen to traffic by fall.

The contractor will start from Henderson and Highway 169 on a process called soil nailing. It involves the insertion of reinforcing bars into the exposed soil.

A second contractor will be hired after the soil nailing is finished. It will need to complete repairs to the roadway and guardrail.