Behind-Schedule Rochester Road Project Paused for Winter, Detour Temporarily Ends

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A behind-schedule road project in Rochester has paused work for the winter. 

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The detour put in place for the project has also temporarily paused. 

Construction began in August and was supposed to be completed this month, but was unable to be finished in time due to what the City of Rochester officials described as “unanticipated soil conditions.” 

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Busy Intersection Near OMC, RCTC Heintz Center Reopens As Work Pauses for Winter

Construction crews are in the process of installing a roundabout at the intersection of 4th Street and 19th Avenue Southeast, near Olmsted Medical Center Hospital and the RCTC Heintz Center. 

The $3.6 million project to convert the former four-way stop into a roundabout was first proposed in 2019 but was delayed due to right-of-way acquisition issues. 

City documents indicate the roundabout project was rescheduled for 2022 but was put on hold again until the steam line from the Olmsted County Waste-to-Energy Facility could be decommissioned. 

Along with building the roundabout, crews are also reconstructing the sanitary sewer and storm sewer infrastructure at the intersection. 

Rochester Department of Public Works staff say the soil conditions “challenged some of the utility installation this summer and delayed the project.” 

Temporary pavement has been installed to allow the intersection to reopen for the winter. It will be closed again when next year’s construction season begins in the Spring. 

The project's website indicates the roundabout is scheduled to be completed in the Spring of 2026.