Hwy 43 — Winona
Project Purpose and Need
The Minnesota Department of Transportation in partnership with the City of Winona are working together to make improvements along Highway 43 from the Minnesota/Wisconsin state line through downtown Winona and extending to Mankato Avenue.
Conditions:
This road segment has deteriorating pavement conditions, non-compliant pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and safety issues and challenges for pedestrians and bicyclists wanting to cross Highway 43.
Goals:
- Improve pavement quality and extend the lifespan of the road
- Bring sidewalks and pedestrian ramps up to current ADA standards
- Update intersection controls where criteria is met.
- Improve mobility and safety for all modes of traffic.
Process:
MnDOT recently completed a project scoping study to identify, plan and budget for future Highway 43 improvements. The scoping study included traffic analysis, roadway geometric alternatives evaluation, public engagement and overall project cost estimates. The following sections outline the outcomes of the scoping study process.
What We Heard from the Community
MnDOT hosted both online and in-person public open houses. The first round of engagement introduced the project and collected initial community feedback on improvement needs. The second round included sharing potential improvement concepts and collecting feedback in both an online and in-person format.
MnDOT would like to thank the residents of Winona for their active involvement in the public engagement process. Over 2,600 people visited the project website and many attended the in-person open house. Nearly 150 location specific comments were provided, which helped guide project decision making and identify areas for improvement. Comments received generally centered around the following key elements:
Traffic Flow and Efficiency
- Concerns were raised about the suitability of roundabouts for heavy truck traffic and impact on pedestrians
- Some supported the idea of roundabouts, claiming they could enhance traffic flow and reduce congestion
- Concerns were raised about speeding and traffic violations along Highway 43
- Several comments questioned the removal of signal systems at 4th and 5th Streets
- The need for dedicated left turn lanes at Franklin Street was noted
- Some find the lane configuration confusing as Highway 43 transitions from two lanes to four lanes at Broadway Street
Pedestrian Safety
- A common concern is the safety of pedestrians (including children and older adults), particularly in areas with heavy foot traffic/crossings, such as in the downtown area
- Some worry that roundabouts may not be pedestrian friendly and could pose risks to walkers and cyclists.
- It was noted that crossings are difficult near the Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center
Walkability and Aesthetics
- Debate among the feedback received about whether proposed changes prioritize traffic efficiency at the expense of pedestrian safety
- Some requested beautification efforts, such as flowers, art, lighting, and trees to enhance aesthetics.
- Requests were made for sidewalk along the south side of Highway 43 adjacent to Bambenek Fields between Franklin Street and Mankato Avenue.
Project Summary and Response
In response to public input and detailed engineering analysis, we’ve refined the scope of the Highway 43 project to improve pedestrian safety and mobility, traffic flow, and infrastructure conditions. The project, with an estimated cost of $7.1 million, is slated for completion in 2028.
Proposed Design Layout
Final Project Components
Infrastructure Improvements
- Repave Hwy 43 from Mankato Avenue to the state line
- New 3 lane section with median removal from 4th to Broadway St.
- Striped bike lanes from Mankato Avenue to the river bridge
- Miscellaneous drainage improvements
Intersection Improvements
- New left turn lanes on Hwy 43 at Franklin, 4th, 5th, and Broadway St.
- Traffic signal replacement at Broadway St., conversion to two-way stop control at 5th St. (stop signs on the 5th St. approaches), and conversion to all-way stop at 4th St. Additional crossing enhancements are being considered at 5th St.
- Geometric truck turning improvements at Sarnia/Main St.
Pedestrian Safety and Mobility
- Numerous additional bump-outs to shorten pedestrian crossings throughout the corridor
- Improved sidewalks and pedestrian ramps to meet ADA standards
- New sidewalk along south side of Hwy 43 from Mankato Ave. to Franklin St.
- Enhanced crossing with pedestrian flashers at the Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center
Anticipated traffic impacts
- Daily lane closures during the resurfacing
- Pedestrian and bicycle routes will be detoured to alternative routes
- Local street detours will occur during intersection work
Contacts
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Phone 507-286-7637 Email chad.hanson@state.mn.us -
Phone 507-251-2749 Email michael.dougherty@state.mn.us
Great layout
Agree that the most impactful improvement is re-routing Hwy 43. The semi trucks that are moving through without a local stop are heading for the downtown Interstate Bridge. For northbound, route them onto Mankato to 6th or 2nd to head west to the bridge (if 2nd then 2 blocks backtracking to Johnson then to the bridge on 4th). Southbound trucks heading to the bridge could be routed onto Pelzer then Riverview Drive into downtown, left onto 4th street to bridge. In the 'old days' routing major highways through the central part of town was thought to be good for business. That's not the case anymore, certainly with the truck traffic. Thank you.
It might be time to seriously consider rerouting MN 43 to continue north on Mankato Avenue, continue west on second street and then south to Huff and then east on 4th to the bridge. Yes, it’s a couple of blocks backtracking, but it avoids the park and residential area on Sarnia, the University on Main. It also eliminates a difficult right turn from Sarnia onto Main and a difficult left from Main to Sarnia for semis. Mankato already sees a great deal of semi traffic north of Sarnia due to the businesses on that side of town. The road can handle more easily. Second Street also sees far less pedestrian traffic than Sarnia and Main, reducing the chances of an accident.
The addition of a bus stop and cross walk at 420 East Sarnia is needed for safe access to Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center. The present situation is dangerous and presents as a barrier for pedestrians/consumers seeking access to this important community resource.
Please consider the addition of a bus stop and cross walk in front of the Hiwatha Valley Mental Health Clinic on 420 E Sarnia St. to achieve safer and more accessible transportation for vulnerable citizens of Winona County. Thank you.
I agree with Chiefwingnut. It's really scary to navigate the trucks making turns on the Sarnia/Main corner. I am a commuter in that area and know to keep my distance so trucks can swing in, but not everyone foresees them coming and gives them space! Also... anything to facilitate the crossings from Lake Park across Sarnia (pedestrian islands, narrowing of road, more obvious crossings/lights/striping???... especially anything that would force cars to slow down or stop) would make that so much safer especially in summer when people heavily use that stretch of the park.
Remove parking on 4th St from Main St to Winona St and replace with island separated bike lanes. Eg curb -bike lane -island -2 traffic lanes -island -bike lane -curb. Connect bike lanes to existing bike lanes on the bridge.
I drive truck and live in winona. The intersection of main and Sarina the house on the corner should be removed to improve the flow around that corner for trucks since that is the main truck route to wisconsin. Thanks
Reduce the Broadway to 4th Street section to 2 lanes like the rest of the highway. Consider roundabouts at the 4th, 5th and Broadway intersections.
Ideally add bike lanes, but place them on the far outside of the road and, if possible, separate them from parking and traffic with a small island or bollards. Eg curb -bike lane- island -parking -2 traffic lanes -parking -island -bike lane -curb. If space constrained, remove some parking.
Since the proposed island would just be a surface structure, it shouldn't require changing the existing pavement grading or the existing storm sewers. Street plowing should be easier to deal with than existing sidewalk bump outs.
Please add lighting along the route especially at intersections and cross walks. Beautify the Main Street median between 4th and 6th.
Semi traffic consistently disrupts the Sarnia and Main intersection. Hamilton could use a blinking pedestrian sign to cross Sarnia.