Royalton design concepts shown at public meeting

Hwy 10—St. Cloud to Little Falls study update

MnDOT thanks the Royalton community for visiting with us at the public meeting on Aug. 12 at the Royalton High-Middle School. Here's a recap of the layout options shown.

The Hwy 10 study team showed 19 concepts. They range from small changes to larger ideas that would separate highway and local traffic or move through‑traffic around Royalton. These are early ideas, not final designs. Each option has different benefits, impacts, costs and funding needs.

Access points and local connections shown are only possible locations, and future project phases would determine them if the project moves forward.

At-grade solutions

This means Hwy 10 and local roads remain at about the same level, as they are today. These options change the existing Hwy 10 corridor and may include J-turns, roundabouts, traffic signal changes, additional lanes, or changes to where vehicles can enter, exit or cross.

Design goals

Keep Hwy 10 traveling through Royalton
Preserves direct access and visibility for local businesses
Have fewer property and environmental impacts than grade-separated options
Reduce some traffic conflicts and improve safety

Local and Hwy 10 traffic would still interact at more locations. Some access points may change or close, and these options provide less separation between Hwy 10, local roads and the railroad than grade-separated improvements.

Concepts

Lower cost option

At-grade alternatives are considered lower-cost options, estimated at less than $25 million. These improvements are more likely to fit within typical transportation funding sources and may be able to move forward in phases as funding becomes available.

Grade-separated alternative design options

This means Hwy 10 and local traffic cross at different levels instead of crossing each other directly. These options use bridges, ramps and intersections to separate Hwy 10 traffic from local crossings at key locations. Some concepts also change local road connections or direct traffic to fewer access points.

Design goals

Provide greater separation between Hwy 10 and local traffic
Make it easier and safer to cross, enter or exit Hwy 10 at key locations
Improve traffic flow and reduce the number of direct conflict points
Provide more opportunities to improve crossings for people walking and biking
Improve safety compared to current conditions

Concepts

These improvements would be larger than the at-grade options. They would use more land and could have greater impacts on properties, businesses and local access.

Medium-cost option

Grade-separated alternatives are considered medium-cost options, estimated between $25 million and $75 million. These improvements would cost more than at-grade improvements and would require additional state, federal or local funding beyond typical funding sources.

Bypass alternative design options

This would create a new Hwy 10 route around Royalton instead of carrying through traffic directly through town. The exiting Hwy 10 through Royalton would continue to serve local traffic, while much of the long-distance traffic would use the new route around the community.

Design goals

Reduce through traffic and traffic noise in Royalton
Separate local traffic from high-speed Hwy 10 traffic
Provide significant safety and traffic-flow improvements
Create more opportunities for walking and biking improvements within Royalton

A bypass would also create the largest changes. It would move Hwy 10 travelers farther from businesses along the existing Hwy 10, require more land, potentially impact homes and farmland, and have greater environmental impacts than the other design options.

Concepts

19 Royalton bypass: Hwy 10 – three new connection concepts east and west of town (PDF)

High-cost option

Bypass alternatives are considered high-cost options, estimated at more than $75 million. Moving forward would require long-term community involvement and support to identify and advocate for major additional funding. It would also likely take longer to fund, design and build than the other alternatives.

MnDOT thanks the Royalton community for visiting with us at the open house.

Accessibility notice: The alternative PDF designs linked above contain detailed engineering graphics and are not fully accessible to people who use screen readers or other assistive technology. If you have difficulty accessing the layouts or would like the information in an alternative format, please contact the project team.