Roundabout Planned for Dangerous Rochester-Area Intersection

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A plan to construct a roundabout at a crash-prone Rochester-area intersection is in the works. 

Read More: Rochester Woman Critically Injured in Hwy. 63 Crash North of Rochester 

Officials say low-cost safety measures installed at the intersection have not done enough to reduce crashes at the intersection. A Rochester woman suffered severe injuries in a crash at the intersection last August. 

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is planning to hold an event to share more information about the upcoming project with the public later this month. 

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Roundabout Planned for Hwy. 63/Hwy. 247 Intersection North of Rochester

MnDOT says work to construct a roundabout at the intersection of Hwy. 63 and Hwy. 247/Olmsted County Rd. 12 is scheduled to begin in 2027. The intersection is about seven miles north of Rochester and 12 miles west of Plainview. 

Officials are proposing a single-lane roundabout at the intersection. The current four-way intersection has seen an existing and growing trend of right-angle crashes, which account for 72% of the collisions at that intersection, MnDOT says. 

In the past, crews have installed LED enhanced stop signs, pavement markings and advance warning signs ahead of the intersection, however the right angle crashes have continued, a MnDOT news release says. 

MnDOT says recent crash history indicates motorists have had a hard time determining when a traffic gap is adequate to cross or enter Hwy. 63.

See Also: New Roundabout Planned for Dangerous North Rochester Intersection 

Officials are planning to hold an informational meeting on the project on Thursday, January 23. It’s set to take place at the Farmington Town Hall at 11534 County 128 Rd. Northeast, Elgin, MN from 4-6 p.m. 

Attendees will have a chance to provide feedback, learn more about the project and the proposed traffic routing during the work, MnDOT says.

The project is set to start in the summer of 2027. The current cost is estimated to be $3.5 million.