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Hwy 14 Intersection Safety Improvements

August 2022 construction will not move forward as planned

Construction of the Hwy 14 intersections at Olmsted Co. Rd. 44, Olmsted Co. Rd. 3, 7^th St. NW and Country Club Rd. was to begin in August of 2022 but will not move forward as planned.

Because of inflation, the project costs were higher than expected. MnDOT and ROCOG work together to make decisions about transportation connectivity in the area. While MnDOT recommended the intersection changes, ROCOG voted not to approve the project. This decision stops construction.

MnDOT will continue with the high-tension cable median barrier. But the intersection safety improvements planned at Olmsted Co. Rd. 44, Olmsted Co. Rd. 3, 7^th St. NW and Country Club Rd. will not happen at this time.

From 2017 to 2021, there have been a total of 3 fatal crashes and 21 crashes that resulted in injury at both Co. Rd. 44 and Co. Rd. 3. Many can agree that changes need to occur at these intersections sooner than later.

MnDOT will continue to evaluate the other options, including closing the medians. Discussions are already underway. Expect future updates through the project email/text updates.

People with questions should reach out to the Project Manager, Tom Austin.

Future of Hwy 14 and Olmsted Co. Rd. 44

Currently, MnDOT and Olmsted County are partnering on the design of an interchange at Hwy 14 and Co. Rd. 44 and local system roadway improvements. But there are no funds available to build the project, estimated to be $40-50 million.

Project funding for construction could be secured in several ways:

Apply for Corridors of Commerce funding

• The Hwy 14 expansion project from Owatonna to Dodge Center was funded in this way
• Project would compete with others across the state
• If selected, it would take an additional year to let the contract, then two more to construct

Apply for funding through the federal Infrastructures Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)

• Project would compete with others across the country
• If selected, it would take an additional year to let the contract, then two more to construct

MnDOT will continue to work collaboratively with our partners at Olmsted County on funding options for a future interchange and interim safety measures.

Stay connected, informed

• Learn more about the Hwy 14 project on the MnDOT project website.
• Check out other MnDOT southeast Minnesota construction projects and sign up for updates.
• Join the MnDOT Southeast Minnesota Facebook group and follow us on MnDOT Southeast on Twitter.
• Find road updates in Minnesota on 511mn.org or get a free app at Google Play or the App Store.

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• If you need an ASL, a foreign language interpreter, or documents in an alternative format (such as braille, large print or in a different language) at no cost, please email your request to Janet Miller at ADArequest.dot@state.mn.us or call 651-366-4720. Relay service: 711.
• If you need any another reasonable accommodation to participate (such as seating modification or auxiliary aids), please email your request to Accessibility.DOT@state.mn.us or call 1-833-400-8432. Relay service: 711.