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About this project
Public meeting on Dec. 14
You are invited to attend a public meeting hosted by Olmsted County on Wed., Dec. 14 to learn more about the Olmsted Co. Rd. 44 and Hwy 14 Intersection Project.
Date: Dec. 14
Time: 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Location: Rochester Montessori School, 5099 7th St. NW, Rochester
Olmsted County, in partnership with the MnDOT, is planning improvements at Hwy 14 and Olmsted Co. Rd. 44. Project goals include increasing safety and mobility at the intersection as well as supporting regional growth and future economic development.
Those who attend the public meeting will be able to review project alternatives and share feedback with the project team. Meeting materials will be available on the project website after the meeting.
Visit the project website to learn more and contact project staff:
- Ben Johnson, Olmsted County Director of Public Works/County Engineer, johnson.benjamin@co.olmsted.mn.us
- Aaron Breyfogle, MnDOT Project Manager, aaron.breyfogle@state.mn.us
- Comments can also be mailed to 3701 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55416 (Attn. Dan McNiel)
Summary
Crews painted double yellow centerline stripes and triangular yield lines in the median of Highway 14 and Olmsted County Road 3 on Oct. 21, 2022 as part of increased safety measures to remind motorists of traffic at the intersection east of Byron. MnDOT is scheduled to install oversized Intersection Ahead warning signs along Highway 14 as well. Those signs will be equipped with flashers later this season.
The work is part of an overall interim plan to improve safety at Hwy 14 intersections west of Rochester.
Construction work to close the Hwy 14 medians at Olmsted Co. Rd. 44 and 7th St. NW west of Rochester was completed in late July 2022..
MnDOT maintenance crews removed the pavement along the medians as part of an interim safety effort aimed at reducing high-speed, right-angle crashes (T-bone crashes) until an interchange can be funded and built at Co. Rd. 44. Removing the option for traffic to cross Hwy 14 at these two intersections will reduce the chance of these types of crashes, which often cause serious injuries or death.
MnDOT’s decision to close the two medians is an interim safety measure until an interchange crossing can be funded at Co. Rd. 44. MnDOT and Olmsted County are working in partnership on a design and will have plans ready whenever funding might be secured.
The safety work will be occurring along the Hwy 14 corridor both this year and in 2023. Plans call for:
Hwy 14 and 7th St. NW
- Permanently close the median at 7th St. NW.
- Vehicles will still be able to exit and enter, however not cross Hwy 14.
- Not allowing vehicles to cross the roadway helps prevent T-bone crashes. These kinds of crashes often result in serious injuries or death.
Hwy 14 and Olmsted Co. Rd. 44
- Permanently close the median at Hwy 14 and Olmsted Co. Rd. 44.
- Vehicles will still be able to exit and enter, however not cross Hwy 14.
Hwy 14 and Olmsted Co. Rd. 3
- Construct a J-turn at Hwy 14 and Olmsted Co. Rd. 3 in 2023
- Vehicles will exit and enter Hwy 14, but only be able to cross the roadway at designated U-turn sections.
- This change stops vehicles from going directly across and significantly reduces T-bone crashes. It also allows for vehicles to cross over the roadway.
- Other interim safety changes, like the installation of flashing warning signs to alert drivers at the intersection and additional pavement markings, will be installed in 2022 to help draw driver’s attention to the crossing.
Hwy 14 and Country Club Rd.
- Delay the closure of Country Club Rd. until the J-turn at Olmsted Co. Rd. 3 is constructed in 2023. That construction is expected to take place from April 17-June 18, 2023.
High-tension cable median barriers
- Continue with the installation of the high-tension cable median barriers along the Hwy 14 ditch in 2023
- This change will not affect safety at intersections, but can reduce head-on cross-over crashes, which often result in serious injuries or death.
MnDOT will continue to collaborate with our partners at Olmsted County on funding options for a future interchange and interim safety measures.
People with questions or comments should reach out to Mike Dougherty at michael.dougherty@state.mn.us or 507-251-2749.
Future of Hwy 14 and Olmsted Co. Rd. 44
Olmsted County, in partnership with MnDOT, is planning improvements at Co. Rd. 44 and Hwy 14. The project is looking into long-term solutions that improve safety while accommodating future growth. Different interchanges are being analyzed along with other options. A public meeting was held on June 30, 2022. Information about the development of this project can be found on the Olmsted County project web page. Additional outreach is planned to ensure the public and nearby businesses and residents have information about the project as the work progresses.