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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Almost immediately after sending my update this week, I received the below notice from MnDOT and wanted to pass it on to all of you as the closures begin on Monday.
We are getting close to the completion of the last segment of a 4-lane HWY 14, all the way from Rochester to Mankato. See the full press release from MnDOT below:
Hwy 14 lane closures begin April 12 west of Dodge Center
DODGE CENTER, Minn. – Motorists on Hwy 14 will encounter lane closures beginning April 12 on the four-lane portion west of Dodge Center as crews build crossover lanes for construction related to the expansion project, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation
The Hwy 14 expansion project is building a new four-lane road between Owatonna and Dodge Center. The work is necessary for the new road to be prepared to tie into the existing four-lane road west of Dodge Center.
Overall, the project is expanding 12.5 miles of Hwy 14 from two lanes to four lanes between Dodge Center and Owatonna to complete a continuous four-lane road between New Ulm and Rochester. The project is intended to improve the capacity, safety, travel times and access between Rochester and Owatonna, as well as the I-35 corridor. The expansion area is a new route for Hwy 14, which will stay south of the railroad tracks on the west side of the project, travel south of Claremont and connect with the four-lane highway west of Dodge Center.
Shafer Contracting of Shafer, Minn., is the prime contractor for the $107,997,119 construction project. Traffic is expected to be on the new route in fall of 2021 with additional work planned for 2022 to complete the project.
Following guidance from state health officials and to prevent further spread of COVID-19, MnDOT crews will maintain social distancing practices while working.
Safety
Motorists may encounter lane closures or lane shifts, uneven road surfaces, equipment and other unexpected obstacles when driving near or through work zones. MnDOT advises motorists to:
- Find up-to-date information about traffic and road conditions at 511mn.org or get the free smartphone app at Google Play or the App Store
- Expect delays, especially during peak travel times
- Go hands-free and minimize other distractions (e.g., don’t eat or drink while driving
- Follow posted speed limits; the fine for speeding in a work zone is $300
- Avoid making lane changes within work zones
Stay updated, informed
· Learn more about the project and sign up for email updates at the MnDOT construction project website
· Join the MnDOT Southeast Minnesota Facebook group for news, information and events in the region
· Follow us on MnDOT Southeast on Twitter for updates, information and initiatives
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