State transportation officials are considering a mini roundabout for the Main Street-Highway 75 intersection in Luverne.
It’s one of two state road improvement projects in Rock County in the state’s five-year plan. The other one, slated for 2022, provides for resurfacing both directions of I-90 from Beaver Creek to the South Dakota border.
Greg Ous, Minnesota Department of Transportation District 7 engineer, and Ronda Allis, District 7 MnDOT planning director, presented the information at the Aug. 3 County Board meeting.
Their visit was part of MnDOT’s annual community outreach to counties within the district.
Allis said the MnDOT planning team is studying the Luverne intersection through an Intersection Control Evaluation ahead of the planned 2025 Highway 75 road construction project from Main Street north to Veterans Drive.
An improvement option may be a mini roundabout or potentially only a two-way stop versus the current four-way stop.
Commissioner Gary Overgaard questioned if the public’s opinion would be considered in MnDOT’s decisions. “We are not interested in a roundabout,” he said.
Allis said, “If our traffic engineer deems it necessary — once he has seen the crash history — what he sees may trump what the public deems necessary.”
MnDOT is currently reconstructing the three roundabouts in Worthington because road angles caused semitrailer loads to become unstable as the large vehicles maneuvered the circular intersections.
Ous said the concrete apron in the center of the roundabout is being lowered to allow the trailer tires to more easily drive over the apron if necessary.
He said roundabouts, especially in Mankato, have improved intersection safety and reduced fatalities.
Prior to any major reconstruction project such as a roundabout, MnDOT conducts public open houses within the community. These in-person meetings take place between September and December.
More work planned for I-90 in 2022
Interstate 90 from Beaver Creek to the South Dakota border is a continuation of the current westbound-only rehabilitation project on I-90 from Luverne to Beaver.
Next year both sides of the interstate will receive a mill and overlay versus the current rehabilitation of the existing roadway.
Aas said the four-mile stretch of roadway has become unstable and engineers recommended the concrete overlay in 2022.
Estimated project cost is $8.9 million and is allocated from CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Stimulus) dollars received in the district.
Dates for Highway 75 construction north of Luverne moving target
With a continued “fair” road quality index rating, North Highway 75 from Luverne to Trosky is now scheduled for construction in 2028.
Last year MnDOT officials had the road reconstruction slated for 2027. However, the project could be completed in 2025 if funding allows.
“If additional funding becomes available through — if we get a new federal bill or if the district receives additional dollars — we are developing projects across the district that we will be able to deliver earlier than what we are showing now with the (10-year) program,” Allis said.
South Highway 75 from Luverne to the Iowa border was slated for road and bridge improvements for 2018, but the project is now moved to 2030. It is not being considered for possible earlier completion.
Highway 270 from Highway 75 to Hills is also set for improvements in 2030. However, this highway is earmarked by MnDOT as a possible turn back to a county road.
If the county agrees to maintain the road, a special fund for turnback projects would improve the roadway before turning the roadway back to the county.
Commissioners made no decision at their Aug. 3 meeting about accepting Highway 270 as a county road.