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Update
Hwy 14 and Co. Rd. 3 survey
By Aug. 21, please take a few minutes and let us know how we did, what went well and what we can improve by taking this survey about the Hwy 14 and Co. Rd. 3 J-turn. Your feedback will help us with future projects in the years ahead.
Olmsted Co. Rd. 3 north is closed for local project
The Hwy 14 J-turn that opened on June 17 allows for use of the median U-turns and a left-hand turn from westbound Hwy 14 to south Olmsted Co. Rd. 3. However, a local project has closed north County Road 3 until later this summer, so a left-hand turn from eastbound Hwy 14 to north Co. Rd. 3 is not open.
The project that closed CR 3 is not a MnDOT project and is on a county road north of DBC. People accessing DBC are able to do so via Hwy 14, making a right turn from the highway.
The J-turn is part of an ongoing effort by MnDOT to improve safety along Hwy 14. MnDOT continues to work with its local partners for long-term safety improvements, as well as short-term improvements as well.
Summary
Construction work closed the Hwy 14 medians at Olmsted Co. Rd. 44 and 7th St. NW west of Rochester in July 2022. Not allowing vehicles to cross the roadway helps prevent T-bone crashes. These kinds of crashes often result in serious injuries or death.
MnDOT’s decision to close the two medians is an interim safety measure until an interchange crossing can be funded at Co. Rd. 44. MnDOT and Olmsted County are working in partnership on a design and will have plans ready whenever funding might be secured.
Below is a list of the 2022-2023 work to improve safety at Hwy 14 intersections west of Rochester.
Hwy 14 and 7th St. NW
- The median at 7th St. NW was permanently closed in July 2022.
- Vehicles will still be able to exit and enter, however not cross Hwy 14.
Hwy 14 and Olmsted Co. Rd. 44
- The median at Hwy 14 and Olmsted Co. Rd. 44 was permanently closed in July 2022.
- Vehicles will still be able to exit and enter, however not cross Hwy 14.
Hwy 14 and Olmsted Co. Rd. 3
- A J-turn was constructed at Hwy 14 and Olmsted Co. Rd. 3 and it opened to traffic June 17, 2023.
- Vehicles can exit and enter Hwy 14, but will only be able to cross the roadway at designated U-turn sections.
- This change prevents vehicles from going directly across Hwy 14 and it significantly reduces T-bone crashes while still allowing vehicles to cross the roadway.
High-tension cable median barriers
- Install high-tension cable median barriers along the Hwy 14 ditch in 2023 (April 17 to June, weather permitting).
- This change will not affect safety at intersections, but can reduce head-on cross-over crashes, which often result in serious injuries or death.
Hwy 14 and Country Club Rd.
- Closure of Country Club Rd. is planned for mid-July 2023.
People with questions or comments should reach out to Mike Dougherty at michael.dougherty@state.mn.us or 507-251-2749.
Future of Hwy 14 and Olmsted Co. Rd. 44
Olmsted County, in partnership with MnDOT, is planning improvements at Co. Rd. 44 and Hwy 14. The project is looking into long-term solutions that improve safety while accommodating future growth. Different interchanges are being analyzed along with other options. A public meeting was held on June 30, 2022. Information about the development of this project can be found on the Olmsted County project web page. Additional outreach is planned to ensure the public and nearby businesses and residents have information about the project as the work progresses.