First Step of Major Rochester-Area Road Project Starts Monday

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The first step of a major Rochester-area road project is set to begin Monday. 

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The project is scheduled to take multiple construction seasons to complete. MnDOT indicates the work starting on Monday will have minimal traffic impacts. 

Crews are set to begin clearing trees to make way for a massive overhaul of the I-90 and Hwy. 52 interchange southeast of Rochester. 

A MnDOT news release advises motorists to prepare to travel through narrowed lanes at times while trucks and equipment are parked on the shoulders of the roads.

During a recent interview on KROC-AM's Rochester Today, MnDOT District 6 Spokesman Mike Dougherty says tree clearing for projects often occurs during the winter time to avoid disturbing nests for bats.

The tree-clearing efforts are set to wrap up in late February. Construction on the interchange is scheduled to begin in earnest in July. 

Crews will begin building temporary crossover lanes and new ramps and loops. Construction on an eastbound I-90 overpass and a new flyover bridge that will connect southbound Hwy. 52 traffic to eastbound I-90 will start in 2025. 

Crews are also set to construct a portion of new ramps and loops. In 2026, crews are scheduled to rebuild the westbound I-90 overpass bridge and complete work on the new ramps and loops. 

The massive project carries an estimated price tag of $38.4 million.

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