Highway 14 and Broadway Avenue intersection safety improvements

About this project

Summary of work

Safety improvements are scheduled to occur in 2027 at the intersection of Highway 14 and Broadway Avenue in Rochester. The areas of construction include:

• Highway 14 from Crossroads Drive SW to 3rd Avenue SE
• Broadway Avenue from 9th Street SE to 14th Street S

The following are the planned improvements:

• Reconstruct Broadway Avenue to 9th Street SE.
• Alter right and left turning lanes.
• A second left turn lane on Highway 14 will be added to help with traffic congestion during peak hours.
• The right turn lanes will be tightened to help slow traffic, making it safer for pedestrians, and they will be extended to reduce traffic congestion at peak hours.
• Due to the longer right turn lane on westbound Highway 14, it would make turning right from 1st Avenue Southeast onto westbound Highway 14 unsafe. As a result, vehicles will only be able to turn right into the Sunnyside neighborhood via 1st Avenue Southeast. Traffic will no longer enter Highway 14 from 1st Avenue and will instead use 3rd Avenue Southeast. This will help reduce congestion in the updated intersection, while also addressing feedback from the Sunnyside community to reduce traffic cutting through the neighborhood to enter Highway 14.
• Improve crossings for pedestrians and bicyclists by adjusting crosswalks including adding pedestrian islands and making shorter crosswalks. Install new raised crosswalks to slow traffic and provide additional safety and visibility for pedestrians.
• Install new sidewalks and build trails off the intersection to provide safer, separated options for bikes.
• Replace traffic signals which will improve accessibility, safety and efficiency for pedestrians and vehicles.
• Improve lighting.

Learn about the planning of this project on our public engagement website.

Traffic impacts

• During construction, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction through the intersection
• Semi-trucks and similar large sized vehicles will be detoured around the intersection.
• Detours for pedestrians and bicyclists will occur.
• Access to nearby businesses will be maintained.
• For about one week, the intersection will be fully closed, and all traffic will be detoured. This is anticipated to occur early August.