Elk Run Interchange
Construction begins in spring 2011 and will continue until 2012.
Location
- Pine Island in Olmsted County
Schedule
2012
- Construction of interchange and frontage road system continues
2013
- Spring -Summer: Work continues on Olmsted County Road 12 and frontage road system
- Fall: Project complete
Cost
- $34.3 million
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Traffic Impacts
Sngle lane traffic through work zone.
Latest Updates
Construction of the interchange began in late June.
Work on the Oronoco West Frontage Road is complete.
Benefits
Improved safety The project will greatly increase motorist safety on Highway 52 through the removal of 18 highway access points, including 520th Street in Pine Island and Olmsted County Road 31. The project also helps MnDOT progress toward the goal of upgrading Highway 52 to a freeway facility from Rochester to the Twin Cities, thereby increasing safety and mobility for motorists throughout southeastern Minnesota.
Increased traffic capacity The project provides increased capacity to accommodate the growing traffic volumes on Highway 52 and County Road 12.
Economic Development This project creates potential for new development in downtown Pine Island, as well as in Oronoco, and in the Elk Run area. The project also includes the realignment of Olmsted County Road 12 to the new interchange and the future Olmsted County Road 5 corridor on the south side of Pine Island, further improving access and facilitating future growth of Pine Island.
Job creation As part of this project, the city of Pine Island is committed to create a minimum of 182 jobs over the next nine years in the bioscience sector. In addition, approximately 200-300 construction jobs will be associated to this project.
Innovative design The Elk Run Interchange project’s innovative design will bring the first Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) to Minnesota. Growing in popularity, the DDI design provides several benefits:
- Higher capacity The DDI design has the ability to accommodate high traffic volumes with improved safety.
- Pedestrian/bike access The DDI design includes safety and access for pedestrians and bicycles.
- Low cost The DDI design is less expensive to construct than the typical loop and ramp interchange design.