About this project
Update
Motorists in Dodge County will encounter detours beginning April 27 as crews begin to build the new 630th Street and prepare to build a bridge on Dodge County Road 1 for an overpass as part of the Hwy 14 expansion project between Dodge Center and Owatonna.
Motorists on Dodge County Road 1 and 630th Street will find detours south of Claremont and should follow signs to access their destinations. Crews are beginning to bring equipment and materials in to build a bridge on Dodge County 1 for an overpass of new Hwy 14 and building a new 630th Street. Grading work west of Claremont is also expected to begin.
Farmers who use these roads to access fields along this area should contact Jim Hannaman of Shafer Contracting at 612-703-0304 to arrange the best route for their equipment.
The project will expand 12.5 miles of Hwy 14 from two lanes to four lanes between Dodge Center and Owatonna to complete a continuous four-lane road between Mankato and Rochester. The project is intended to improve the capacity, safety, travel times and access between Rochester and Owatonna, as well as the I-35 corridor. The expansion area is a new route for Hwy 14, which will stay south of the railroad tracks on the west side of the project, travel south of Claremont and connect where the four-lane highway is west of Dodge Center
Shafer Contracting of Shafer, Minn., is the prime contractor for the $107,997,119 construction project. Construction is scheduled to be completed by 2022. Traffic on the new Hwy 14 route is expected in 2021.
Following guidance from state health officials and to prevent further spread of COVID-19, MnDOT crews will maintain social distancing practices while working.
Motorists are reminded that while in the work zone:
- Slow down when approaching every work zone, then navigate through with care and caution
- Stay alert; work zones constantly change
- Watch for workers and slow moving equipment
- Obey posted speed limits. Fine for a violation in a work zone is $300.
- Minimize distractions behind the wheel.
- Be patient; expect delays, especially during peak travel times