Hwy. 63 in Rochester to Close Monday For Project to Install New Roundabout

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A portion of a Rochester highway will be closed in both directions starting on Monday. 

See Also: Rochester City Council Narrowly Approves Design of Reconstruction of Busy Intersection

The closure is due to a project to transform an intersection that traffic officials say has a history of crashes and increasing traffic volumes. 

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) says a detour will be in place during the closure. 

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Hwy. 63/18th Ave. Northwest Intersection North of Rochester to Close Until August

Starting Monday, crews will begin installing a roundabout at the intersection of Hwy. 63 and 18th Ave. Northwest/Olmsted County Rd. 112.

Roundabout intersections see an average 86% reduction in fatal crashes and an 83% average decrease in life-altering crashes, according to MnDOT. 

Hwy. 63 Traffic east and west of the intersection will be detoured to North Broadway Ave. then to 48th St. Northeast before rejoining the highway at the 55th St. Northwest interchange. 

Motorists seeking Hwy. 63 from north of the intersection will be detoured on 85th St. Northwest/Olmsted County Rd. 154 to 31st. Ave. where they can access Hwy. 63. 

Drivers south of the intersection can connect with Hwy. 63 via 65th St. Northwest to Hwy. 52. 

A MnDOT news release says the project is scheduled to be done in August. 

Along with the roundabout installation, crews will also install new lighting, a box-culvert and improve accessibility. The project has a cost of $3.8 million, according to the project’s website.