For more information on how these intersections work, see below or visit our webpage on RCIs.
Traffic impacts
Lane closures and lane shifts
Project will be done under traffic and motorists will shift to single lane in each direction.
Hwy 32 will be detoured during the construction of the RCI.
Reduced Conflict Intersections
Reduced Conflict Intersections decrease fatalities and injuries caused by T-bone crashes on four-lane divided highways. In some parts of the country RCIs are sometimes referred to as J-turns, R-CUTs, Michigan Lefts.
Benefits
RCI's improve safety, with up to a 70 percent reduction in injury crashes nationwide
Currently there are over 30 RCI’s in the state
They’ve been built on some of the state’s most dangerous intersections
There have been no fatal or severe injury crashes at any of them
Minnesota’s first RCI was built on Hwy 71 in Willmar in 2010
Prior to construction the intersection averaged 9 crashes per year
In the 10 years since, there have been only 3 total (none were severe/fatal)
How do they work?
While on Hwy 2
How do RCIs work?
Right turn onto Hwy 32: no change, right hand turns can be made the same as before
Left turn onto Hwy 32: no change, use left turn lane
Cross intersection (to remain on Hwy 2): no change
While on Hwy 32
Right turn onto Hwy 2: no change
Left turn onto Hwy 2: turn right onto Hwy 2, make a u-turn
Cross intersection (to remain on Hwy 32): turn right onto Hwy 2, make a u-turn, turn right onto Hwy 32
Why do they work?
Understanding Reduced Conflict Intersections
With an RCI, drivers from the side street only have to be concerned with one direction of traffic on the highway at a time. You don’t need to wait for a gap in both directions to cross a major road. Traditional four-lane divided highway intersections have an elevated risk of severe right-angle crashes (commonly called “T-bone” crashes), especially for drivers attempting to cross all four lanes of traffic or turn left. At a traditional intersection, motorists from the side street need to look in both directions to cross a four-lane divided highway. Left turns require the same level of attention.
