Project Updates
11/14/2024
Hwy. 19/I-35 interchange roundabout project wrapping up
As the 2024 construction season winds to a close, contractors are putting the finishing touches on the new roundabout at the Hwy. 19/I-35 interchange.
Some minor punch list items are all that remain, according to Rice County Design/Construction Engineer Bill Zidon. That includes seeding and striping, which are expected to be complete by the end of the month.
No future closures are anticipated.
With some areas adjacent to driving lanes still needing to be addressed, county officials urge motorists to continue to use extra caution in the area as contractors wrap up the project.
The $4.77 million six-legged roundabout, funded largely through grants, was led by Rice County Highway Department staff and brings together Hwy. 19, I-35 exit and entrance ramps and County roads 46 and 59.
The roundabout was designed to improve safety on the east side of the interchange. Traffic volumes at the interchange have increased in recent years, particularly following the opening of the Flying J Travel Center.
Roundabouts not only lower speeds and calm traffic, they greatly reduce the likelihood of side-impact crashes when compared to a controlled or signalized intersection. Side-impact crashes are considered the deadliest.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, over 10,000 roundabouts have been installed across the U.S.
10/21/2024
Roundabout now open; expect short-term intermittent delays
All six legs of the new Hwy. 19/I-35 roundabout are now open.
While Rice County Highway officials do not anticipate further closures, motorists can expect minor delays from time to time as some pavement markings and roadside work still need to be completed.
All work on the $4.76 million project is expected to be finished within the next few weeks.
The project, led by Rice County, but funded largely through grants, connects Hwy. 19 with County Roads 46 and 59, and the interchange’s northbound I-35 entrance and exit ramps.
The roundabout was designed to allow traffic to move easily through the area and to improve safety at the interchange, which was a challenge for vehicles heading west from the I-35 exit ramp to navigate.
Roundabouts, which slow traffic, have been proven to reduce the likelihood of side-impact crashes, which are considered the deadliest. According to a 2017 Minnesota Department of Transportation study, “roundabouts show an 86% decrease in fatal crashes, an 83% decrease in life-altering injury crashes and a 42% overall decrease in the injury crash rate at intersections.”
10/17/24
Paving to temporarily close part of Hwy. 19 near roundabout
The closure will allow contractors to pave a section of the roadway while ensuring the safety of construction workers and motorists. The closure is expected to begin at 10 a.m. It’s hoped the road will reopen before the evening rush hour.
Motorists will still be able to travel east by using the roundabout to access the detour. County Road 59/90th Street—which is one leg of the roundabout—is immediately east of the northbound I-35 exit ramp. County Road 59 reconnects with Hwy. 19 just west of St. Olaf College, approximately 6 miles east of the roundabout.
Westbound drivers leaving Northfield on Hwy. 19 should also use the detour, but in reverse.
Motorists should also anticipate delays on Thursday, Oct. 24 as crews remove pavement sections that will be replaced with new material the following day. Flaggers will be in place that day to redirect traffic as necessary.
Travelers driving through the area are asked to continue using caution, follow the posted work zone speed limit, watch for construction crews, and remove distractions.
Two legs of the roundabout remain closed: the northbound I-35 entrance ramp and County Road 46/Hazelwood Avenue. When work on the roundabout is complete, both are expected to reopen in the next couple of weeks.
The $4.76 million project, led by Rice County, is being funded largely through grants and is designed to improve safety at the intersection.
Roundabouts slow traffic and reduce the likelihood of side-impact crashes, considered the deadliest. According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, “roundabouts show an 86% decrease in fatal crashes, an 83% decrease in life-altering injury crashes and a 42% overall decrease in the injury crash rate at intersections.”
To receive project updates, visit ricecountymn.gov/list.aspx and Select I-35/Hwy. 19 interchange roundabout project in the Notify Me section
TOP: The section of Hwy. 19 shown in yellow above will close for several hours Friday, Oct. 25 so contractors can pave the road. Motorists wanting to travel to and from the Northfield area can reconnect with Hwy. 19 via the roundabout and County Road 59, labeled above.
BOTTOM: Motorists should use County Road 59 from the roundabout to its intersection with Hwy. 19 just west of St. Olaf College as a detour during the closure.
The illustration shows the new traffic pattern on Hwy. 19 as the northbound I-35 entrance ramp closes while exit ramps reopen.
10/7/2024 - Stage 3A
Roundabout construction: One ramp opens, the other closes
Motorists traveling through the roundabout construction site at Hwy. 19 and I-35 will see a significant change starting at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7 when the interchange’s northbound entrance ramp closes.
During this stage of construction, both the northbound exit ramp from I-35 and County Road 59/Anoka Avenue will reopen, though County Road 46/Hazelwood Avenue will remain closed.
To access northbound I-35 from Hwy. 19, drivers will need to follow the established detour: take the I-35 southbound entrance ramp to County Road 1, then head east on County Road 1 and head north on I-35 at that interchange.
Closing the entrance ramp will allow contractors to remove the temporary entrance ramp and remaining temporary bypass and to construct the new I-35 entrance ramp.
This phase of the project is expected to take about two weeks.
The $4.76 million project, led by Rice County, is being funded largely through grants and is designed to improve safety at the intersection.
Roundabouts not only promote lower speeds and calm traffic, but have led to about 80% reduction in fatal and injury crashes, particularly side-impact crashes, considered the deadliest. According to the National Transportation Highway Safety Administration, nearly 8,000 people in the U.S. are killed in side-impact crashes annually.
To receive project updates, visit ricecountymn.gov/list.aspx and Select I-35/Hwy. 19 interchange roundabout project in the Notify Me section.
Work on the roundabout is expected to be complete later this month.
09/10/2024 Stage 2B - Starting Wednesday, Sept.11
Traffic shifts again as roundabout construction progresses
Construction of the six-legged roundabout at Hwy. 19 and I-35 is necessitating another traffic shift for area travelers.
Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 11, traffic heading east through the interchange will move from the temporary bypass lanes back onto Hwy. 19 and through the roundabout toward Northfield.
The entrance ramp onto I-35 north will be inaccessible to eastbound motorists so construction on the northern portion of the roundabout can be completed. Traffic will be detoured onto I-35 south to the County Road 1 interchange, then east to the I-35 north entrance ramp.
The northbound I-35 exit ramp onto Hwy. 19, as well as County Road 46/Hazelwood Avenue and County Road 59/Anoka Avenue remain closed.
Westbound motorists will remain on the temporary bypass and will still have access to the entrance ramp onto I-35 north.
The $4.76 million project, led by Rice County, is being funded largely through grants and is designed to improve safety at the intersection.
Roundabouts not only slow traffic, but reduce the likelihood of side-impact crashes, considered the deadliest. According to the National Transportation Highway Safety Administration, nearly 8,000 people in the U.S. are killed in side-impact crashes annually.
To receive project updates, visit ricecountymn.gov/list.aspx and Select I-35/Hwy. 19 interchange roundabout project in the Notify Me section.
Work on the roundabout is expect to be complete later this fall.
08/16/2024 Stage 2A
Work is progressing on Stage 2A of the project.
Below is a video and slideshow showing the curb and gutter installation.
05/28/2024 Project Update: Stage 2A
Roundabout construction brings closure, change in traffic pattern
Construction of the six-legged roundabout at the I-35/Hwy. 19 interchange is moving to the next stage, one that includes a shift in traffic pattern and closing of the northbound I-35 exit ramp.
The changes are expected to take effect Wednesday, May 29.
Northbound motorists will be unable to exit directly from the interstate onto Hwy. 19 during this stage of the project. Instead, they should exit at County Road 1 and head west toward County Road 46/Bagley Avenue which intersects with Hwy. 19 just west of the Flying J Travel Center.
Motorists will still be able to travel east-west on Hwy. 19, though traffic will be rerouted to a temporary bypass road immediately north of the current one.
This will allow for construction of the proposed roundabout, County Road 59, the north portion of County Road 46 and the north portion of the new northbound entrance ramp.
Work on this stage of construction is expected to last several weeks.
The northbound I-35 entrance ramp from Hwy. 19 will remain open.
County Road 59/Anoka Avenue and County Road 46/Hazelwood Avenue north of Hwy. 19 remain closed.
05/15/2024 Project Update: Stage 1B
Construction on bypass road (CSAH 46 and CR59)
04/22/2024 Project Update: Stage 1B
The project is currently in Stage 1B.
TH 19 is still open to traffic with lane shifts and reduced shoulders.
CSAH 46 and CR 59 are closed to traffic.
I35 on and off ramps remain open with reduced shoulders.
04/09/2024 Stage 1A
Construction of Stage 1A began on Tuesday, April 9th.
Road closures for CSAH 46 and CR 59 are scheduled to begin on Monday, April 15th, as shown in Stage 1B.