Roundabout proposed at I35/Highway 19 intersection

Rice County is working with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) on designing a proposed six-legged roundabout at the intersection of Interstate 35 and Highway 19. Rice County Highway Engineer Dennis Luebbe said while they are early in the design stages, they hope to award a contract in 2022 and begin work on the project in 2023.
The intersection is considered a problem area. Luebbe explained that is true for anyone who uses it for a morning and evening commute, especially as traffic has increased. Adding to the issue is that Rice County Highways 46 and 59 connect to the intersection, plus the volume of semi-trucks in the area has increased since Pilot Corporation bought the Flying J Travel Center, a gas station and convenience store, and expanded it.
Luebbe said the MnDOT office out of Rochester did a study, which found that traffic and crashes were above average. For the county the area became a priority with the Rice County Board of Commissioners having several meetings over it. In 2019 MnDOT hired a consultant that confirmed the traffic operation of the area is less than desirable.
In discussions between Rice County and MnDOT it was decided a six-legged roundabout was the preferred solution. Rice County will lead the project for the design with MnDOT paying a significant part of the project. Rice County has received grants to help with the project. MnDOT is covering 75 of the design costs and Rice County the remaining 25 percent. In doing the designs there will be concerns about wetlands in the area and how that will affect the project.
Luebbe expects they will be able to have public feedback on the preliminary designs in the next coming months. Those could be held virtually, but there is also hope they can have an open house in a local township.