Open house: Viola Road NE (County State Aid Highway 2) & Cassidy Drive NE Intersection Improvement Project
The City of Rochester and Olmsted County are hosting a second open house for the Viola Road NE (CSAH 2) and Cassidy Drive NE Intersection Improvement Project. This project, which is currently in the final design phase, will improve traffic operations and safety around Century High School. The project team recommends a single-lane roundabout as the preferred engineering option for the intersection. Construction of the roundabout is expected to occur in 2023.
The public is invited to learn more about the project and provide feedback on the final design:
In-person open house event:
Wednesday, May 25, 2022, from 5-7 p.m.
Century High School (2525 Viola Rd NE, Rochester, MN 55906)
Online informational opportunity:
Visit the project website anytime after Monday, May 23, 2022, to review materials and watch a pre-recorded presentation.
This project is a joint effort between the City of Rochester and Olmsted County. In the summer of 2021, the project team completed an Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) report for the Viola Road and Cassidy Drive intersection. The ICE report included an evaluation of multiple intersection options, including the existing configuration, a signalized intersection, a single-lane roundabout, and a multi-lane roundabout. The report indicated the preferred improvement option is a single-lane roundabout. This option will improve traffic operations, reduce the number of crashes and shorten pedestrian crossing distances.
The key objectives of the new roundabout design are:
- Increase pedestrian safety and connections
- Increase awareness of school area
- Provide safe facilities
- Lower vehicle speeds
- Reduce conflict points between pedestrians and vehicles
- Improve circulation and access of all modes of travel.