Open house scheduled for Northwest Expansion and Transportation Study
November 6, 2026
To help the community learn more and participate in the planning process for the Northwest Expansion and Transportation (NEXT) Study, the Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments (ROCOG) will host a community open house at the Oxbow Park nature center on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m.
The event is designed to be interactive, giving participants a firsthand look at how transportation and land‑use decisions are made. At 6 p.m., participants will receive a brief introduction to the study, followed by an interactive activity to share their input and perspectives.
What is the NEXT Study?
The NEXT Study is a coordinated planning effort to evaluate transportation needs associated with anticipated growth in northwest Olmsted County. The study area includes portions of Kalmar, Oronoco, New Haven, and Cascade townships, as well as the cities of Rochester, Byron, Pine Island, and Oronoco.
Four key roadways will receive a more detailed analysis to understand existing conditions, assess future transportation needs, and identify potential improvements in response to anticipated growth.
The four corridors are:
- County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 44
- U.S. Highway 63
- 14th Street NW and 19th Street NW
- County Road 112
ROCOG and its consultants are currently leading outreach efforts with community stakeholders, partner agencies to ROCOG and the county, and area landowners (primarily around the four corridors).
Where to direct inquiries
If you have questions, please contact ROCOG Project Manager Karli McElroy at karli.mcelroy@olmstedcounty.gov.
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Media contact: Emma Diercks, Communications Specialist, 507-328-6166