Rochester
Rochester, MN · Traffic & Transit
mnprairieroots.com
Speeding on Willow Street, through my neighborhood
FOR 42 YEARS, Randy and I have lived in the same house along an arterial street through Faribault. And in those four-plus decades, traffic volume has increased significantly due to growth on the south end of town. Speeding and crashes have also risen, based on my observations. I don’t know...
winonapost.com
Garvin Heights Road work can’t wait
As a resident of the Garvin Heights area, I am writing because I am concerned about the condition of County Road 44, otherwise known as Garvin Heights Road. The road is one of three access points to Winona from the ridge area and is the gateway to the Garvin Heights lookout from Winona. The hill road is extremely rough. My concern is just with the hill portion of County Road 44. According to the county highway department, it is not scheduled for resurfacing until 2029. I’m afraid, by that point, we won’t have much of a road left at all. I am hoping the County Board could review the upcoming projects and possibly move this two-mile stretch of dangerous and heavily traveled road ahead on the schedule. Thank you.
KFIL Radio
Highest Labor Day Pump Prices On Record Predicted For End Of Summer 2026
Gas Buddy's latest forecast shows pump prices hitting 4.03 a gallon over Labor Day weekend 2026, the highest ever recorded for that holiday. Relief should come after Labor Day as demand drops and winter fuel blends kick in.
kymnradio.net
Northfield Considering Lower Speed Limits on City Streets
The City of Northfield is taking a closer look at how fast vehicles should be traveling on local streets, with the possibility that speed limits could eventually be lowered throughout parts of the city. The city has begun a $74,000 speed limit study designed to examine existing speeds, crash and...
KAAL ABC 6 NEWS Minnesota Iowa
Hwy 52 detour north of Rochester begins Friday night
(ABC 6 News) — Drivers on Hwy 52 north of Rochester will run into a detour this weekend if they are using the southbound lanes near Oronoco. The detour will go into place at 7 p.m. on Friday and last until 5 a.m. Monday morning, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Crews will be […]
winonapost.com
Winona questions bike lanes, stop signs on Hwy. 43
Midway through August, the Winona City Council raised concerns about bicycle lanes and the removal of a downtown stoplight while reviewing the state’s plans for reconstructing Highway 43 through town in 2028. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is seeking consent from the city of Winona for the project, and Winona has less than 90 days to respond to MnDOT by approving the plan, recommending alterations, or rejecting the project.
q-mediagroup.com
Red Wing Trains Quiet Zone
According to the City of Red Wing, train horns blaring in Red Wing will soon largely be a thing of the past because a railroad quiet zone goes into effect on Wednesday, September 2. That means trains will no longer regularly sound their horns at railroad crossings in town. Talks...
Faribault Daily News
City looking into solutions for ‘can opener’ bridge on 7th Street
Truckers may rejoice after Faribault revealed preliminary concepts to lower the road under the infamous 7th Street ‘can opener’ railroad bridge as part of its 7th Street reconstruction project. “It’s an issue that the city obviously recognizes and is going to work with the consultants to design accordingly so that it becomes less of a hindrance,” city communications coordinator Brad Phenow said. The railroad bridge next to the Faribault Water Works became infamous due to its 12’ clearance height, shredding the tops of trucks and campers attempting to cross through. The bridge is owned by Canadian Pacific Kansas City, which means the city can’t just remove the bridge. Director of Engineering Mark DuChene said this meant that any work on the bridge would have to be coordinated with the railroad company. “The bridge is kind of the big ticket item, but it’s also the thing that we somewhat have the least control over,” DuChene said. “Seventh Street has some of the oldest remaining underground utilities in the city. So, while the bridge is a component of this project, it’s also about updating infrastructure that needs replacement.” The concept is part of the larger 7th Street reconstruction project, tackling the mile-long
winonapost.com
Paving will make County Road 19 safer
As someone who lives in Wiscoy Township and whose family uses County Road 19 daily to commute to Winona, I strongly encourage the county to grade and pave the hill section. While I sympathize with my neighbors who will have their businesses affected by construction or be forced to sell land for the project, I strongly believe the project will increase safety and be easier on vehicles. The county is great about re-graveling the road, but within weeks of every new layer of gravel, the hill is a giant rattletrap again. It's a mess most of the winter and is very slick in wet or icy conditions. It’s clearly one of the roads most in need of an overhaul in the county.
KIMT
Hwy 52 south near Rochester closes this weekend for bridge work
ROCHESTER, Minn. – Highway 52 southbound motorists north of Rochester will experience a weekend-long detour starting Friday, while crews make repairs to the 85th Street bridge. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) says starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, Highway 52 southbound will be closed until 5 a.m. Monday....
KIMT
Hwy 52 paving triggers I-90 detours southeast of Rochester
ROCHESTER, Minn. — Drivers heading east on Interstate 90 who want to go north on Highway 52 southeast of Rochester will need to take a detour starting Wednesday as crews work on paving and curb installation. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) said the work is expected to take...
KIMT
RPT looks to rebuild ridership as new operator takes over
ROCHESTER, Minn. (KIMT) — Rochester Public Transit is preparing for another round of changes as the system works to rebuild ridership, improve reliability and navigate ongoing financial pressure. RPT Director Rachel Fautsch said the agency's focus is not simply on cutting service. Instead, the department is evaluating how to...
KAAL ABC 6 NEWS Minnesota Iowa
Rochester Public Transit seeks reliability solutions for dropping ridership
(ABC 6 News) — The Rochester Public Transit Department is attempting to solve impending financial issues with new initiatives and partnerships. Public Transit Director Rachel Fautsch reported on what she calls the ‘Doomsday Clock,’ detailing the point when RPT will run out of reserve funds. As of January 2026, RPT had about $5.3 million in […]
kymnradio.net
Phase 3 of Northfield Street and Trail Project Set to Begin
Northfield Public Works is preparing to launch the third and final phase of its 2026 Mill and Overlay and Mill Towns State Trail Improvements Project, bringing roadway resurfacing, trail construction, sidewalk additions, and pedestrian safety upgrades to several key areas on the city’s west side. Phase 3 centers on...
KIMT
Rochester bridge repairs to slow traffic starting Monday
ROCHESTER, Minn. — Drivers in Rochester will face traffic slowdowns starting Monday as crews repair two bridges, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). The right lane will be closed on the 16th Street SW bridge over South Fork Zumbro River near Highway 52 and on the Highway...
KAAL ABC 6 NEWS Minnesota Iowa
Eastbound I-90 off-ramp to northbound Hwy 52 detour near Rochester begins
(ABC 6 News) — Eastbound I-90 drivers who use the off-ramp to travel north on Hwy 52 southeast of Rochester will have to take a different route starting on Wednesday. A detour has been put in place as of Wednesday morning as crews begin a construction project that is anticipated to last about two weeks. […]
KIMT
Austin drivers face I-90 detours near municipal airport
AUSTIN, Minn. — Drivers on Interstate 90 in Austin will face overnight detours Monday and Tuesday as crews work on the Highway 218 south/21st Street Northeast bridge near Austin Municipal Airport. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) says eastbound and westbound I-90 traffic will be routed up and down...
KAAL ABC 6 NEWS Minnesota Iowa
I-90 in Austin closing overnight for bridge deck work
(ABC 6 News) – Drivers in Austin will face overnight I-90 detours as crews close parts of the interstate for bridge deck work. Eastbound and westbound I-90 traffic will be routed up and down the traffic ramps at the Highway 218 south/21st Street NE bridge from 8 p.m., Aug. 24 to 6 a.m., Aug. 25 […]