Public Meeting Set for Rochester’s Latest Roundabout Project

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- There’s a public meeting set to happen this week regarding a project to install Rochester’s next roundabout. 

Get our free mobile app

It’s happening Tuesday from 4-6 p.m. at Cascade Town Hall at  2025 75th St. NE, Rochester, MN. Those in attendance will have a chance to view the project plans and provide feedback to project leaders, a MnDOT news release says. 

MnDOT and Olmsted County are partnering up to build a roundabout at the intersection of Hwy. 63 and County Rd. 112 in rural northern Rochester. MnDOT says increased traffic and impatience from motorists along Hwy. 63 has led to a “sustained history of crashes.”

Officials say turning the intersection into a roundabout will reduce crashes and improve driver safety by regulating traffic flow. The project’s preliminary plans call for a detour to route traffic away from the roadwork. 

The work is scheduled to begin in 2025. MnDOT says roundabouts provide numerous traffic safety benefits: 

• Improve safety and reduce the risk of serious and fatal crashes
  • A MnDOT study demonstrated roundabouts may reduce fatal and serious crashes by more than 80%
• Reduce impatient driving behavior
• Slows traffic to make entering and exiting the intersection safer and easier for all users
• Allow drivers to travel through the intersection more efficiently
• Dangerous collisions are less likely by reducing speeds and eliminating left-turn and crossing accidents

Mike Dougherty, who is the Spokesman for MnDOT's Southeast District discussed the project on a recent episode of KROC-AM's Rochester Today. You can hear his comments below.

Those who cannot attend the meeting can share their thoughts through an online survey. The survey closes at 11:59 p.m. on September 29.