|
BIXBY ROAD AT 18TH STREET SE ROUNDABOUT PROJECT UPDATE
Owatonna, Minn. – The construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Bixby Road and 18th Street SE has been delayed until 2023. The joint project, led by Steele County in collaboration with the City of Owatonna and the Owatonna School District, was originally scheduled for construction this year. However, obtaining the necessary agreement from the Canadian Pacific Railroad took much longer than expected.
The railroad agreement was recently obtained through the efforts of the City of Owatonna Mayor Thomas Kuntz, the Governor’s Office, and the Minnesota Transportation Commissioner. The agreement addresses railroad concerns for the 18th Street SE crossing and minimizes impacts on surrounding properties which would have been much greater and more costly without the agreement.
The project will address anticipated traffic growth in the area. This increase in traffic is due, in part, to the construction of a new high school west of the intersection where the roundabout will be constructed. A Traffic Impact Analysis conducted when this location for the school was proposed determined a roundabout was the preferred option because it is safer than either a signal or four-way stop. In addition to handling traffic more efficiently than a signal, a roundabout is also more cost-effective to construct than installing a signal and turn lanes.
Funding for the project will be split equally among all three entities.
With the approval from the Canadian Pacific Railroad in place, the roundabout is now scheduled to be constructed next year and is expected to be open to traffic prior to the start of classes at the new high school in the fall of 2023, barring unforeseen circumstances.
A public information meeting about the project was held September 15, 2021. Final plans and information on the construction schedule, detours and construction impacts will be presented at a public information meeting that will be scheduled in early 2023.
For updates on this or other Steele County Highway construction projects or to sign up for project email updates, visit: https://www.co.steele.mn.us/highway/index.php.
###
|
