Mayo Clinic Celebrates the Ending of a Road Closure Near One of its Rochester Hospitals

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- In a year that’s featured a host of road closures, Mayo Clinic recently celebrated a road’s reopening. 

See Also: Rochester's BRT Project is Underway 

The healthcare giant is in the early stages of a $5 billion expansion of its campus in downtown Rochester. 

Multiple roadways surrounding the campus, including 2nd St. Southwest, have been impacted by the massive construction project. 

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Along with roadwork, demolition of the Ozmun Building complex and former Lourdes High School also occurred this year. Next month, Mayo Clinic’s Damon Parking Ramp will close for good. 

Peace Garden Dr. at St. Mary's Hospital Reopens After Multi-Month Closure

Downtown Rochester isn’t the only place seeing a Mayo Clinic construction project. 

Crews are in the process of building a new 1,000 space parking ramp at the St. Mary’s Hospital campus. It’s set to open next year. 

On Thursday, Mayo Clinic officials celebrated the reopening of Peace Garden Dr. which runs east-to-west on the southern end of the St. Mary’s campus. 

The road closed in March from the Generose Ramp to 10th Ave. Southwest to accommodate the early stages of construction of the new parking structure. 

"This critical artery into the Saint Marys Campus has been part of our history for many years, and will continue to serve us into the future," said Dr. Dan Brown, chair of the Rochester Hospital Practice Subcommittee. 

A ceremony celebrating the reopening of the road, held at the Sister Lauren Weinandt Gazebo, featured a peace blessing from Sister Cashel, who also partook in a tree planting ceremony. 

A Mayo Clinic news release says the new tree is in honor of Mayo Clinic staff and symbolizes growth, resilience and reflection.