Olmsted County announces 2026 construction projects
Olmsted County is preparing for a full season of infrastructure improvements in 2026, with projects spanning roadway reconstruction, bridge replacements, pavement preservation, and safety enhancements across the county.
These projects are designed to improve safety, extend the lifespan of roadways, and support continued growth in the region. Construction timelines and impacts will vary, with some projects requiring detours while others will remain open to traffic with lane shifts and flagging operations.
Major construction projects
County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 21 Reconstruction
- Description: Roadway regrade, drainage improvements, and concrete surfacing
- Location: Trunk Highway (TH) 63 to Olmsted/Wabasha County line
- Schedule: Construction to resume in the spring of 2026, completion date: August 14, 2026
- Traffic Impact: Currently open to traffic on a gravel surface, road will be closed and traffic detoured when construction resumes in spring
This multi-year project (2025-26) includes reconstruction of approximately 4.8 miles of roadway.
- Description: New construction of an interchange and flyover bridge
- Location: TH 14 at the CSAH 44 (60th Ave NW) intersection
- Schedule: Construction to begin in spring/summer of 2026, completion in late fall 2027
- Traffic impact: Various detours and lane closures planned throughout construction
- Partner: Minnesota Department of Transportation (Olmsted Count lead)
This project will replace an at-grade intersection with a new interchange, improving safety and traffic flow along a heavily traveled corridor. The area currently sees approximately 30,000 vehicles per day on TH 14 and 3,000 vehicles per day on CSAH 44.
CSAH 18 Reconstruction
- Description: Roadway regrade, drainage improvements, and bituminous surfacing
- Location: CSAH 12 to Wabasha County line
- Schedule: Construction to begin spring/summer of 2026, completion in late fall of 2026
- Traffic impact: Road will be closed and traffic detoured
- Partner: Wabasha County (lead)
County Road (CR) 147 Reconstruction
- Description: Roadway regrade, drainage improvements, pedestrian and bicycle facilities and bituminous surfacing
- Location: 40th St. SW to County Road (CR) 125 (Mayowood Rd)
- Schedule: Construction to begin spring/summer of 2026, completion late fall of 2027
- Traffic Impact: Various detours and lane closures planned throughout construction
- Partner: City of Rochester (lead)
Pavement preservation projects
CSAH 3
- Description: Mill existing roadway and overlay with new bituminous surfacing
- Location: TH 30 to CR 117
- Schedule: Construction to begin spring/summer of 2026, completion date: August 28, 2026
- Traffic impacts: Roadway will remain open to traffic with lane closures
CR 112 & CR 154
- Description: Milling, full depth reclamation and and overlay with new bituminous surfacing
- Location: TH 63 to TH 52
- Completion: Construction to begin summer of 2026, completion late fall 2026
- Traffic impacts: Roadway to remain open to traffic with lane closures
CR 140
- Description: Full-depth reclamation and overlay with new bituminous surfacing
- Location: CSAH 1 to TH 30
- Schedule: Construction to begin summer of 2026, completion late fall 2026
- Traffic impact: Roadway will remain open to traffic with lane closures
CSAH 22 (55th St NW)
- Description: Concrete pavement replacement
- Location: Clearwater Rd NW to TH 52
- Schedule: Construction to begin late summer 2026, completion late fall 2026
- Traffic Impact: Roadway will remain open to traffic with lane closures and shifts throughout construction
Bridge projects
CSAH 3 Bridge replacement
- Description: Replace bridge over Middle Fork of Zumbro River and associated roadway improvements
- Location: CSAH 5 to 8th St SW
- Schedule: Construction to begin spring 2026, completion date August 27, 2026
- Traffic impacts: Road will be closed and traffic detoured
Safety improvement projects
- Description: Left turn-lane construction
- Location: CSAH 9/CSAH 11 Intersection, CSAH 25 (Salem Rd)/CR 125 (Mayowood Rd) Intersection
- Schedule: Construction to begin summer 2026, completion date September 11, 2026
- Traffic impact: CSAH 9 and CSAH 25 roadways will remain open to traffic with lane closures and shifts throughout construction, CR 125 and CSAH 11 will be closed and traffic detoured
What residents can expect
While some projects will require detours and temporary closures, many preservation and safety improvements will be completed while the road remains open during construction, with minimal disruption. Project durations will vary, with preservation work typically lasting one to three months.
All construction timelines are subject to change due to factors such as weather, environmental considerations, right-of-way acquisition, bidding conditions, and funding availability.
Residents are encouraged to plan ahead, follow posted detours, and use caution when traveling through construction zones.
Questions?
If you have any questions about these projects, contact Olmsted County Public Works Transportation Construction Manager Scott Holmes at 507-328-7060 or pwservice@olmstedcounty.gov.