About this project
Summary of work
Construction of a single-lane roundabout is planned in 2027 at the intersection of Hwy 63/Hwy 247 and Olmsted Co. Rd. 12 in Olmsted County. A box culvert will also be replaced east of that intersection on Hwy 247.
This roundabout is being built to improve safety by addressing the existing and growing trend of right-angle crashes at the intersection, which has a high rate of right-angle crashes (72% of the crashes). Recent crash history shows that motorists entering or crossing Hwy 63 have difficulty selecting adequate gaps in the mainline traffic.
A wide variety of low-cost safety enhancements have been implemented at the intersection to improve safety, such as LED-enhanced stop signs, pavement markings and other advance warnings. However, even with these improvements, right-angle crashes at the intersection remain a distinctive crash trend and safety concern.
Benefits of a roundabout
- Significantly reduces the risk of serious and fatal crashes
- Roundabouts show an 86% decrease in fatal crashes and an 83% decrease in life-altering injury crashes
- Allows drivers to get through the intersection more safely and in less time
- Roundabouts handle high levels of traffic with less delay than most stop signs or signals
- Slows traffic to make entering and exiting the area easier for all users
- Entry curves in the approach will slow traffic entering
Navigating a roundabout
Roundabouts may be unfamiliar at first, but with practice, navigating them will get easier with each trip. Learn more about roundabouts.