Hwy 44 and Hwy 76 roundabout – Caledonia
View full-size mapWe are planning to construct a roundabout at the intersection of Hwy 44 and Hwy 76 in Caledonia. The goal is to reduce crashes and improve safety.
Several factors challenge driver’s abilities to judge other vehicle’s speeds. This leads to poor decision making which results in crashes.
We have tried other fixes and there have been improvements. However, severe, right-angle crashes continue to occur. Right-angle crashes, also known as T-bone crashes, tend to be life-altering or deadly.
With the support of the City of Caledonia, we applied for special funding. The application included a deep analysis of potential solutions in which a roundabout was chosen. It will reduce the risk of crashes, especially right-angle crashes.
Construction is expected to occur in 2028.
Get involved
June feedback opportunities
Join the project team to learn about the application process and why a roundabout was selected. We would like the community’s input on needs and features the design team should consider. Members of the project team will be available at two in-person events listed below. People can also participate at their convenience online:
Founder’s Day Car Show:
June 15, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Main St., Caledonia
Look for the MnDOT booth along the route. People may drop in and learn about the project.
Public meeting:
June 20, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Caledonia City Hall, 231 E. Main St., Caledonia
A short presentation will be provided at 4:45. People may visit and leave at their convenience.
Online:
Those who are unable to attend the above listed events can find the information on the project website and are encouraged to provide their feedback online. The survey closes July 7, 2024.
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Take Survey
This survey will close July 7th, 2024.
In partnership with the City of Caledonia, MnDOT plans to build a roundabout at the intersection of Hwy 44 and Hwy 76. Construction is expected to occur in 2028.
From Jan. 1, 2014 to Dec. 31, 2023 there were 17 recorded crashes. 11 of the 17 were right-angle, also known as T-bone, crashes. The goal is to reduce the number of right-angle crashes which are most likely to be life-altering or deadly.
With the support of the City of Caledonia, MnDOT applied for Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funds. As part of the process, a MnDOT team gathered crash statistics and determined the likely causes. They then took a deep look at potential solutions, including a traffic signal, J-turn and other options.
A roundabout was found to be the best solution to reduce severe crashes at this site.
Conflict points and collision angle
A conflict points is any location where the path of roadway users intersect. They are categorized as crossing, merging, or diverging. A typical intersection has 32 conflict points. 16 of them are crossing which can result in right-angle crashes.
A roundabout has 8 conflict points. 0 are crossing. While there may be crashes, this would greatly reduce the severity.
Source: FHWA Speed
Speed also contributes to the severity of crashes. As speed increases, the amount of energy that can be transferred in a collision increases exponentially. This contributes to the severity of crashes at the intersection.
By design, vehicles must slow before entering a roundabout. If there is a crash, this would help reduce the severity. Additionally, this would also help slow vehicles as they enter the City of Caledonia.
Share your feedback:
MnDOT and the City of Caledonia applied and received HSIP funds to construct a roundabout. Community feedback will help us develop specific features of this roundabout. Please participate in this survey to help us identify community concerns and needs.
The community will have more opportunities to review the design and provide feedback before construction.
To the extent information submitted in connection with this engagement opportunity identifies an individual or business, the information may be protected from disclosure under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA). Any identifying information you provide will not be associated with your individual responses. However, any identifying information will be accessible to MnDOT employees, agents, consultants and contractors with a business need to access the information, and others as required by court order or as authorized by federal or state law. Minor individuals who have provided information on this site have the right to request that parental access to the private data on the minor, be denied. You are not obligated to respond to this engagement opportunity, and there are no consequences if you do not respond. However, if you do not respond, MnDOT may not fully understand who is providing input on the transportation projects, plans and programs for which it is seeking public input.
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Contacts
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Phone 507-951-6593 Email cindy.morgan@state.mn.us -
Email tom.austin@state.mn.us