Road construction under way in southeast Minnesota

Summer’s road construction season is well under way in Minnesota with much of the local activity centered around the expansion of Hwy 14 from a two-lane to a four-lane roadway from east of Owatonna to Dodge Center. The work has resulted in several changes that affect motorists.
The latest change is that those who use Dodge County Road H between Dodge County Road 5 and Dodge Center will need to seek alternate routes beginning June 4 when the road is closed.
The closure of the road near the underpass of existing Hwy 14 will be permanent on the west side of the underpass and the road will be changed into a cul-de-sac. On the east side of the underpass, the road closure will be a year-long and eventually redirect the road to connect with the old portion of Hwy 14 once the new route is completed.

Since the spring construction began, the left lanes of traffic are closed in each direction at both ends of the expansion project. Motorists at both ends are being routed into single lane traffic in each direction. The traffic changes will be on the west and east sides where four lanes of traffic are located just before the transition where traffic is on the existing two-lane portion of the road. Overall, the project is expanding 12.5 miles of Hwy 14 from two lanes to four lanes between Dodge Center and Owatonna to complete a continuous four-lane road between New Ulm and Rochester. The project is intended to improve the capacity, safety, travel times, and access between Rochester and Owatonna, as well as the I-35 corridor. The expansion area is a new route for Hwy 14, which will stay south of the railroad tracks on the west side of the project, travel south of Claremont and connect with the four-lane highway west of Dodge Center.
During the summer paving will be completed along the entire 12.5 mile route, bridges on Dodge County Road 3 and Steele County Road 16 will be completed,  and the interchange at Hwy 56 and Dodge County Road 5 will be completed.
MnDOT anticipates that the new alignment will be opened to traffic in the fall with the project completed in 2022.
During the construction phase motorists are advised to expect delays, especially during peak travel times, go hands-free and minimize other distractions, obey posted speed limits and find up-to-date information at 511mn.org.
The fine for speeding in a work zone is $300.
In addition to the Hwy. 14 construction, MnDOT said motorists may encounter minor traffic delays in several southeast Minnesota counties as crews begin crack sealing work to help preserve state roads.
On two-lane roads, motorists will take turns using the single open lane while being directed by flaggers. On four-lane roads, there will be lane closures. Work is scheduled on state roads in Dodge, Olmsted, Fillmore, Houston, Wabasha, Goodhue and Winona counties. The work began near Lake City and will proceed, as weather permits. 
Southeast Minnesota highways scheduled for crack sealing work include:
·       Hwy 14 eastbound near Kasson
·       Hwy 56 at Dodge Center
·       Hwy 16 near Grand Meadow and Spring Valley
·       Hwy 30 between Chatfield and Rushford
·       Hwy 52 between Chatfield and Marion
·       Hwy 61 between Lake City and Wabasha
·       Hwy 61 between Lake City and Frontenac Station
·       I-90 eastbound east of Nodine
·       Hwy 61 at Dreshbach
·       Hwy 52 southbound north of Rochester