Hwy 52 — Hader to Zumbrota study
View full-size mapWe are conducting a PEL, or Planning and Environmental Linkages, study of the Hwy 52. The study is examining the corridor between Hader and Zumbrota. The goal is to investigate what Hwy 52 may look like in the future. This includes potential changes and an analysis of the impacts each choice may have.
Specific elements considered include:
- Safety
- Manage access
- Freight movement
- Agricultural needs
- Congestion
- Economic development
- Community needs
The input will help the project team determine community values. It will also help inform the team as they look into specific changes. This study is being done in partnership with Goodhue County.
Design alternative feedback and survey summary
Thank you to everyone who provided comments and participated in the survey. This summer, MnDOT collected input from the public on eight proposed design alternatives.
Feedback was gathered through two pop-up events, a public meeting, and online engagement.
- 95+ in-person event attendees
- 1,400+ website visits
- 542 social media interactions
- 70 surveys submitted
A summary of the results can be found in under the news feed tab.
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Design alternative survey and feedback summary
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkDuring the summer of 2023 MnDOT collected input from the public on eight proposed design alternatives.
Feedback was gathered through two pop-up events, a public meeting, and online engagement.
- 95+ in-person event attendees
- 1,400+ website visits
- 542 social media interactions
- 70 surveys submitted
Key findings
People rated how well each alternative meets their needs. The average rating for each alternative with a description of each is shown below.
- Alternative 5 received the highest rating at both the public meeting and the online survey
- Users preferred this alternative due to it improving safety and providing a full-access interchange at County Road 7
- There were concerns about the lack of access for locals and farmers
- Alternative 3 was the second highest-rated design on the online survey
- Users who rated it highly liked the High-T design, safety improvements, and frontage road
- Users had concerns about this design being expensive, not providing enough access, and not meeting agricultural needs
- Alternative 4 was the third highest-rated design on the online survey
- Users were concerned about the lack of access, high cost, safety, and not meeting agricultural needs
- Some thought it improves safety and maintains access, and liked the full-access option
- The top two priorities identified by the public were safety, and access for locals and farmers.
Alternatives descriptions
Alternative 1
J-turn at Co. Rd. 7 and J-turn at 165th Ave.
View full-sized imageAlternative 2
J-turn at 165th Ave. and J-turn at Co. Rd. 7. 165th Ave would become Co. Rd. 7 from Hwy 52 north of 400th St. then west to existing Co. Rd. 7. Co. Rd. 7 would turn back to township.
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Alternative 3
High-T intersection at both Co. Rd. 7 and 165th Ave., access closures between Co. Rd. 7 and 165th Ave., and future frontage roads along both sides of Hwy 52.
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Alternative 4
Full access interchange at 165th Ave., access closures at and near existing Co. Rd. 7, future frontage road along southbound Hwy 52 with a new river bridge. 165th Ave. would become Co. Rd. 7 from Hwy 52 north to 400th St. then west to existing Co. Rd. 7. The existing Co. Rd. 7 would turn back to the township.
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Alternative 5
Full access interchange at Co. Rd. 7, right-in/right-out access at 165th Ave., and access closures between Co. Rd. 7 and 165th Ave. along with future frontage along southbound Hwy 52.
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Alternative 6
Full access interchange to the north of Co. Rd. 7, new Co. Rd. 7 from north of 420th St. to Hwy 52. A new township road would connect south of the interchange to Sherwood Trl. A J-turn intersection at 165th Ave. Access closures between existing Co. Rd. 7 and 165th Ave. along with existing Co. Rd. 7 from Hwy 52 to the new Co. Rd. 7 north of 420th St. would turn back to the township.
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Alternative 7
Full access interchange at 165th Ave., an underpass to the north of Co. Rd. 7, and a new Co. Rd. 7 from north of 420th St. to Hwy 52. A new township road would connect south of the interchange to Sherwood Trl. Access closures between existing Co. Rd. 7 and 165th Ave. along with existing Co. Rd. 7 from Hwy 52 to the new Co. Rd. 7 north of 420th St. would turn back to the township.
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Alternative 8
J-Turn at 165th Ave., an underpass to the north of Co. Rd. 7, and a new Co. Rd. 7 from north of 420th St. to Hwy 52. A new township road would connect south of the interchange to Sherwood Trl. Access closures between existing Co. Rd. 7 and 165th Ave. along with existing Co. Rd. 7 from Hwy 52 to the new Co. Rd. 7 north of 420th St. would turnback to the township.
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June 2023 public meeting materials
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThe following is the information presented at the June 21, 2023 public meeting at the Zumbrota VFW.
About the study
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and Goodhue County are conducting a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study. The study will examine the Highway 52 corridor between Hader and Zumbrota.
The PEL study will help us understand how proposed transportation improvements might benefit or impact the environment, communities, and economy.
The proposed improvements aim to:
- Improve safety
- Manage access
- Improve freight movement
- Address agricultural transportation needs
- Manage congestion into the future
- Encourage economic development
This information collected as part of this study will be used to:
- Identify short and long-term needs for all travelers
- Evaluate current and future environmental conditions
- Develop criteria and evaluate alternatives
- Create an implementation plan including future projects, risks, and next steps
Note: The access points closed by the adjacent Highway 52 project will remain closed.
Timeline
The study began in March 2022 and will continue into 2023.
Funding
No funding has been identified for any proposed improvements.
Existing Conditions
Traffic and Access
- The highway is managing the traffic volume well. The levels of delay or congestion are typical.
- 75% of vehicles on this section of Hwy 52 are passing through.
- Freight trucks make up 8-12.5% (2,700) daily trips.
- Several access points will be closed with the Hwy 52 Southbound Reconstruction Project.
Land Use
- Zumbrota anticipates new commercial, residential, and industrial developments.
- For new developments to the west, Hwy 52 will be a barrier into central Zumbrota.
Infrastructure Condition
- There are no concerns over the condition of existing bridges.
- Pavement in fair to good condition.
Safety
- Most of the project area has safety issues.
- 225 crashes in the past five years.
- 85% are run off the road or right angle crashes.
- The rate and severity of these crashes are significant compared to similar locations.
- Conditions are unsuitable for walking and bicycling.
Environment
- Zumbro River – floodplain is close to and crosses Hwy 52.
- Endangered species – there may be three endangered species in the area – the northern long-eared bat, Minnesota dwarf trout lily, and monarch butterfly.
- Pollution – Feedlots, storage tanks, and hazardous waste sites are nearby.
What we’ve heard so far
Community members shared their experiences on Hwy 52 from Hader to Zumbrota through township board meetings, the Goodhue County Fair, a public meeting, and online engagement.
Improve safety
- Better and safer crossings on the highway
- Acceleration/deceleration lanes to enter and exit the highway
Manage access and congestion
- Interest in adding a frontage road as access points are closed
- Understanding that Hwy 52 will “grow up” over time
Agricultural needs
- Hwy 52 is important, but it is a divider. There are limited solutions for those who have to work on/around it
- Want to prioritize farmers and the feeling of “country” amidst growth
Vision for the future
- Grade-separated highway
- Continued growth in the Cannon Falls to Zumbrota area
- Better access across Hwy 52 and on/off Hwy 52 for farmers
Access treatments
Access management is:
- Planning and control of the location, spacing, design, and operation of driveways, median openings, and street connections to a roadway.
- Designates where and how vehicles access and exit a roadway.
- Helps protect public investment in roadways by:
- Preserving mobility
- Reducing delay
- Minimizing crashes
- Reducing conflict points
Below are examples of the access treatments MnDOT uses throughout the state.
Alternative 1
Alternative 1 includes a J-turn at County Road 7 as the primary intersection with a J-turn at 165th Avenue as the secondary intersection.
Alternative 2
Alternative 2 includes a J-turn at 165th Avenue as the primary intersection with a J-turn at existing County Road 7 as the secondary intersection. Under this alternative 165th Avenue would become County Road 7 from Hwy 52 north to 400th Street then west to existing County Road 7. The existing County Road 7 would turnback to the township.
Alternative 3
Alternative 3 includes a High T intersections at both County Road 7 and 165th Avenue as the primary intersections with access closures between County Road 7 and 165th Avenue along with future frontage roads along both sides of Hwy 52.
View full-sized imageAlternative 4
Alternative 4 includes a full access interchange at 165th Avenue as the primary intersection with access closures at and near existing County Road 7 along with future frontage road along southbound Hwy 52 with a new river bridge. Under this alternative 165th Avenue would become County Road 7 from Hwy 52 north to 400th Street then west to existing County Road 7. The existing County Road 7 would turnback to the township.
Alternative 5
Alternative 5 includes a full access interchange at County Road 7 as the primary intersection with right-in/right-out access at 165th Avenue and access closures between County Road 7 and 165th Avenue along with future frontage along southbound Hwy 52.
Alternative 6
Alternative 6 includes a full access interchange to the north of County Road 7 as the primary intersection along with a new County Road 7 from north of 420th Street to Hwy 52. A new township road would connect south of the interchange to Sherwood Trail. A J-turn intersection at 165th Avenue as the secondary intersection. Access closures between existing County Road 7 and 165th Avenue along with existing County Road 7 from Hwy 52 to the new County Road 7 north of 420th Street would turnback to the township.
Alternative 7
Alternative 7 includes a full access interchange at 165th Avenue as the primary intersection. An underpass to the north of County Road 7 as the secondary intersection along with a new County Road 7 from north of 420th Street to Hwy 52. A new township road would connect south of the interchange to Sherwood Trail. Access closures between existing County Road 7 and 165th Avenue along with existing County Road 7 from Hwy 52 to the new County Road 7 north of 420th Street would turnback to the township.
Alternative 8
Alternative 8 includes a J-Turn at 165th Avenue as the primary intersection. An underpass to the north of County Road 7 as the secondary intersection along with a new County Road 7 from north of 420th Street to Hwy 52. A new township road would connect south of the interchange to Sherwood Trail. Access closures between existing County Road 7 and 165th Avenue along with existing County Road 7 from Hwy 52 to the new County Road 7 north of 420th Street would turnback to the township.
No Build “Do Nothing” Alternative
This is the access after completion of the current construction process. The alternatives can be evaluated against this no-build alternative.
Local Road Alternative
The Local Roads Alternative shows roads turning back to the township along with additional township roads near Sherwood Trail and 440th Street. These are only some of the options that could be incorporated with the No Build or Alternatives 1-8.
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2022 Summary of Community Feedback
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Thank you to those who gave feedback and helped us learn more in 2022.We asked community members about their experiences on Hwy 52 from Hader to Zumbrota. The team visited township boards, the Goodhue County Fair, and hosted a public meeting. We know that it can be hard to meet in-person and made options available on-line. The local paper, social media and other means were used to ask people to take part.Through your feedback, we’ve identified four key takeaways:
Improve safety- People shared how hard it is to cross the highway and would like to see better crossings
- Some would like acceleration/deceleration lanes to enter and exit the highway
- A few indicated a desire or need for frontage roads, especially as access points are removed
- “It will grow up” – referring to previous long-range planning activities, existing conditions near St. Paul south to Coates and Oronoco to Rochester, and recent improvements.
- Others also acknowledged while Hwy 52 is important, it is a divider. Some of the solutions are not simple, quick or even affordable to those who have to work on/around it.
- We felt this statement represented the challenge expressed by many well. “Ideally, we want to stay ‘country’. However, progress continues and is driven by the big population centers on the ends (Twin Cities and Rochester). But our businesses and homes are split by that road; and you don’t just buy another farm- too much money."
- People mentioned Hwy 52 as a freeway in the future
- Several said continued growth in the Cannon Falls to Zumbrota area should remain a focus
- Some visioned better access for farmers
Goodhue County Fair, Aug. 13, 2022
Hwy 52 social media ad
Public Meeting at Zumbrota VFW, Sept. 13, 2022
Public Meeting at Zumbrota VFW, Sept. 13, 2022 -
Public Meeting Sept. 13, 2022
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Public meeting Tuesday, September 13, 2022
Thank you to those who joined us for a public meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 13. Over 35 people attended and provided their comments and feedback at the Zumbrota VFW. A summary of the comments and feedback heard will be provided soon.
Individuals who were not able to attend can still provide their comments and feedback virtually. We invite people to participate in a survey and share about their experiences, concerns and thoughts on a comment map.
Meeting participants listen to Dale Gade, SRF Consulting, speak about the goals of the study and how the community can helpMnDOT invites and encourages participation by all. If you need an ASL, a foreign language interpreter, or other reasonable accommodation, or need documents in an alternative format (such as braille or large print), please email your request to Janet Miller at ADArequest.dot@state.mn.us or call 651-366-4720.
Important Documents
Contacts
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Phone 507-951-6593 Email cindy.morgan@state.mn.us