Roundabout at Hwy. 63 Intersection North of Rochester is Now Open
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The summer and the road construction season are starting to wind down in Rochester.
See Also: Man and Woman Riding Motorcycle Injured in Crash With SUV on Hwy. 61 Near Wabasha
Last month, crews finished a project to resurface Hwy. 14 through southern Rochester. On Thursday evening another Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) project was completed.
The project began earlier this year and required a detour around the workzone.
New Roundabout Now Open at Intersection of Hwy. 63 & 18th Ave. NW North of Rochester
On Thursday night, MnDOT announced the new roundabout at the intersection of Hwy. 63 and 18th Ave. NW is open to traffic.
Work to change the former four-way intersection to the roundabout began on June 2 in an effort to reduce collisions at the busy intersection north of Rochester.
MnDOT MnDOTMnDOT says the roundabout reduces speeds at the intersection, improves traffic flow and makes the area safer for motorists and pedestrians.
Roundabout intersections see an average 86% reduction in fatal crashes and an 83% average decrease in life-altering crashes, according to MnDOT.
See Also: Resurfacing Projects Underway on Pair of Southeast Minnesota Highways
Along with constructing the traffic circle, crews also installed new lighting, improved accessibility and put in a box culvert. The project’s cost is listed at $3.8 million.
It’s the 21st MnDOT roundabout to be constructed in the agency’s 11-county southeast Minnesota jurisdiction. Statewide MnDOT has overseen the installation of more than 150 roundabouts.
MnDOT will now shift its attention to construction of a roundabout at a different Hwy. 63 intersection.
In 2027, crews will install a roundabout at the intersection of Hwy. 63 and Olmsted County Rd. 12/Hwy. 247 north of Rochester and west of Plainview.
A public meeting for that project is scheduled to take place September 23 from 5-7 p.m. at Farmington Town Hall, 11534 County 128 Road NE, Elgin, MN.
