Start Date Announced for One of Minnesota's Largest Road Projects

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- MnDOT has announced a starting date for one of Minnesota’s largest road projects.

See Also: Detours Planned for Project That's Underway in Olmsted County

The three-year, $27.5 million project will transform one of the busiest interchanges in southeast Minnesota.

Crews started work this past February by clearing trees to make room for the major changes coming to the interchange.

Start Date Set for Multi-Year Project That Will Transform Busy Rochester-Area Interchange

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Construction is set to begin July 15 on the Interstate 90/Hwy. 52 interchange southeast of Rochester.

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Crews are set to construct a new fly-over ramp that will connect southbound Hwy. 52 traffic to eastbound I-90 and eliminate a left-hand turn onto the freeway that has seen an uptick in crashes.

The new entrance ramp to I-90 East from both directions of Hwy. 52 will be shifted east of the current on-ramp.

MnDOT also plans to replace the I-90 overpasses over Hwy. 52 to shift the bridge piers into a safer position that will allow better sightlines for vehicles crossing the intersection at the bottom of the interchange.

MnDOT

The construction plans call for rebuilding the other existing on and off ramps to reduce run off the road crashes. The 2024 portion of the three-year project is set to include the construction of temporary median crossovers and new ramp loops.

Detours Planned at I-90/Hwy. 52 Interchange Near Rochester This Summer

A MnDOT news release urges drivers to plan for slowed speeds through the interchange once the work begins.

Traffic slowdowns are also possible during peak morning and evening travel times. MnDOT is also planning a short-term detour on Hwy. 52 to occur between July 22 and July 26.

Another detour I-90 eastbound traffic looking to exit to Hwy. 52 is anticipated to run from July 27 through August 13. MnDOT plans to release more information about the detours later this month.

Google

Construction on the new I-90 eastbound bridge and Hwy. 52 flyover bridge is set to begin in 2025 and crews plan to put the finishing touches on the project in 2026.

MnDOT says longer-term detours are planned during work in 2025 and 2026.