Hwy 52 — Hader to Zumbrota study

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Study area map Highway 52 from Hader to ZumbrotaView 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.

Update June 2024

The Study Report is available for review in the Important Documents section.

Study area map Highway 52 from Hader to ZumbrotaView 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.

Update June 2024

The Study Report is available for review in the Important Documents section.

Provide feedback or ask questions about this study

If you have any questions or comments, please submit them below and we will do our best to get back to you within 3 business days. 

MnDOT may share your comments and questions on this site. If you would prefer for your post to remain private, please indicate that along with your message below. 

You need to be signed in to add your question.

  • Share There must be ample ability for residents to cross 52 at multiple points. Removing all crossings except for a distinct few, in effect, cuts the county in half. That is not acceptable. In the area between Hader and Zumbrota, there are 2 paved county roads (50 and 7). It is approx 2 miles between Hader and County Road 50, approx 3 miles between County Roads 50 and 7, and another 2.5 miles between County Road 7 and Hwy 60. In total just over 7.5 miles between Hader and Zumbrota. If the MnDOT acceptable standard (as demonstrated in Olmsted County) is at minimum an overpass every 2 miles, then there needs to be at minimum an overpass at County Rd 50 and a full access interchange at County Road 7. I understand those not familiar with our County think the distances between the County roads are not that great, however it is the distances the residents must travel on the other county and township roads in order to reach the interchanges that adds a lot of miles to their daily trips to work, school, and town. I agree safety is paramount, but I disagree with what seem to be a planning focus to prioritize those who simply drive through Goodhue County over the residents who live here, whose small businesses & farms keep our communities and economies running, and who make their homes here. Heather Arndt on Facebook Share There must be ample ability for residents to cross 52 at multiple points. Removing all crossings except for a distinct few, in effect, cuts the county in half. That is not acceptable. In the area between Hader and Zumbrota, there are 2 paved county roads (50 and 7). It is approx 2 miles between Hader and County Road 50, approx 3 miles between County Roads 50 and 7, and another 2.5 miles between County Road 7 and Hwy 60. In total just over 7.5 miles between Hader and Zumbrota. If the MnDOT acceptable standard (as demonstrated in Olmsted County) is at minimum an overpass every 2 miles, then there needs to be at minimum an overpass at County Rd 50 and a full access interchange at County Road 7. I understand those not familiar with our County think the distances between the County roads are not that great, however it is the distances the residents must travel on the other county and township roads in order to reach the interchanges that adds a lot of miles to their daily trips to work, school, and town. I agree safety is paramount, but I disagree with what seem to be a planning focus to prioritize those who simply drive through Goodhue County over the residents who live here, whose small businesses & farms keep our communities and economies running, and who make their homes here. Heather Arndt on Twitter Share There must be ample ability for residents to cross 52 at multiple points. Removing all crossings except for a distinct few, in effect, cuts the county in half. That is not acceptable. In the area between Hader and Zumbrota, there are 2 paved county roads (50 and 7). It is approx 2 miles between Hader and County Road 50, approx 3 miles between County Roads 50 and 7, and another 2.5 miles between County Road 7 and Hwy 60. In total just over 7.5 miles between Hader and Zumbrota. If the MnDOT acceptable standard (as demonstrated in Olmsted County) is at minimum an overpass every 2 miles, then there needs to be at minimum an overpass at County Rd 50 and a full access interchange at County Road 7. I understand those not familiar with our County think the distances between the County roads are not that great, however it is the distances the residents must travel on the other county and township roads in order to reach the interchanges that adds a lot of miles to their daily trips to work, school, and town. I agree safety is paramount, but I disagree with what seem to be a planning focus to prioritize those who simply drive through Goodhue County over the residents who live here, whose small businesses & farms keep our communities and economies running, and who make their homes here. Heather Arndt on Linkedin Email There must be ample ability for residents to cross 52 at multiple points. Removing all crossings except for a distinct few, in effect, cuts the county in half. That is not acceptable. In the area between Hader and Zumbrota, there are 2 paved county roads (50 and 7). It is approx 2 miles between Hader and County Road 50, approx 3 miles between County Roads 50 and 7, and another 2.5 miles between County Road 7 and Hwy 60. In total just over 7.5 miles between Hader and Zumbrota. If the MnDOT acceptable standard (as demonstrated in Olmsted County) is at minimum an overpass every 2 miles, then there needs to be at minimum an overpass at County Rd 50 and a full access interchange at County Road 7. I understand those not familiar with our County think the distances between the County roads are not that great, however it is the distances the residents must travel on the other county and township roads in order to reach the interchanges that adds a lot of miles to their daily trips to work, school, and town. I agree safety is paramount, but I disagree with what seem to be a planning focus to prioritize those who simply drive through Goodhue County over the residents who live here, whose small businesses & farms keep our communities and economies running, and who make their homes here. Heather Arndt link

    There must be ample ability for residents to cross 52 at multiple points. Removing all crossings except for a distinct few, in effect, cuts the county in half. That is not acceptable. In the area between Hader and Zumbrota, there are 2 paved county roads (50 and 7). It is approx 2 miles between Hader and County Road 50, approx 3 miles between County Roads 50 and 7, and another 2.5 miles between County Road 7 and Hwy 60. In total just over 7.5 miles between Hader and Zumbrota. If the MnDOT acceptable standard (as demonstrated in Olmsted County) is at minimum an overpass every 2 miles, then there needs to be at minimum an overpass at County Rd 50 and a full access interchange at County Road 7. I understand those not familiar with our County think the distances between the County roads are not that great, however it is the distances the residents must travel on the other county and township roads in order to reach the interchanges that adds a lot of miles to their daily trips to work, school, and town. I agree safety is paramount, but I disagree with what seem to be a planning focus to prioritize those who simply drive through Goodhue County over the residents who live here, whose small businesses & farms keep our communities and economies running, and who make their homes here. Heather Arndt

    Heather Arndt asked almost 3 years ago

    Hi, and thank you for participating and providing feedback. The purpose of this study is to look at potential future changes and impacts or improvements to Highway 52 including safety, access, and community needs. The study includes a steering committee of local elected and appointed officials from the county, cities, and townships. Your feedback will help inform the study team. We hope you will continue to participate in the transportation decision-making process as this study continues through 2023.

  • Share I would like to see some improvements for walking, biking and transit along the corridor. It seems like there would be a good opportunity to connect the Goodhue Pioneer trail in Zumbrota with the Douglas trail in Pine Island (in conjunction with the Pine Island Highway 52 project). The new trail could run in the same corridor as the highway, although it would be more pleasant if it were located slightly farther away. It would be great if intercity bus service here were improved in terms of frequency, but with regards to this particular project, perhaps an on-highway bus stop similar to either the one on I35W and 46th Street in Minneapolis, or at I90 and Barrington Road in Hoffman Estates, IL could be built to serve the MSP shuttles and Jefferson Lines in Zumbrota. It appears there would be three good locations for it, either at highway 58, highway 60, or at the dead end of Mill Street. on Facebook Share I would like to see some improvements for walking, biking and transit along the corridor. It seems like there would be a good opportunity to connect the Goodhue Pioneer trail in Zumbrota with the Douglas trail in Pine Island (in conjunction with the Pine Island Highway 52 project). The new trail could run in the same corridor as the highway, although it would be more pleasant if it were located slightly farther away. It would be great if intercity bus service here were improved in terms of frequency, but with regards to this particular project, perhaps an on-highway bus stop similar to either the one on I35W and 46th Street in Minneapolis, or at I90 and Barrington Road in Hoffman Estates, IL could be built to serve the MSP shuttles and Jefferson Lines in Zumbrota. It appears there would be three good locations for it, either at highway 58, highway 60, or at the dead end of Mill Street. on Twitter Share I would like to see some improvements for walking, biking and transit along the corridor. It seems like there would be a good opportunity to connect the Goodhue Pioneer trail in Zumbrota with the Douglas trail in Pine Island (in conjunction with the Pine Island Highway 52 project). The new trail could run in the same corridor as the highway, although it would be more pleasant if it were located slightly farther away. It would be great if intercity bus service here were improved in terms of frequency, but with regards to this particular project, perhaps an on-highway bus stop similar to either the one on I35W and 46th Street in Minneapolis, or at I90 and Barrington Road in Hoffman Estates, IL could be built to serve the MSP shuttles and Jefferson Lines in Zumbrota. It appears there would be three good locations for it, either at highway 58, highway 60, or at the dead end of Mill Street. on Linkedin Email I would like to see some improvements for walking, biking and transit along the corridor. It seems like there would be a good opportunity to connect the Goodhue Pioneer trail in Zumbrota with the Douglas trail in Pine Island (in conjunction with the Pine Island Highway 52 project). The new trail could run in the same corridor as the highway, although it would be more pleasant if it were located slightly farther away. It would be great if intercity bus service here were improved in terms of frequency, but with regards to this particular project, perhaps an on-highway bus stop similar to either the one on I35W and 46th Street in Minneapolis, or at I90 and Barrington Road in Hoffman Estates, IL could be built to serve the MSP shuttles and Jefferson Lines in Zumbrota. It appears there would be three good locations for it, either at highway 58, highway 60, or at the dead end of Mill Street. link

    I would like to see some improvements for walking, biking and transit along the corridor. It seems like there would be a good opportunity to connect the Goodhue Pioneer trail in Zumbrota with the Douglas trail in Pine Island (in conjunction with the Pine Island Highway 52 project). The new trail could run in the same corridor as the highway, although it would be more pleasant if it were located slightly farther away. It would be great if intercity bus service here were improved in terms of frequency, but with regards to this particular project, perhaps an on-highway bus stop similar to either the one on I35W and 46th Street in Minneapolis, or at I90 and Barrington Road in Hoffman Estates, IL could be built to serve the MSP shuttles and Jefferson Lines in Zumbrota. It appears there would be three good locations for it, either at highway 58, highway 60, or at the dead end of Mill Street.

    S asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you. Your comments have been noted.

  • Share Why are reminders to keep right not consistency present, multiple times within the journey from the cities to Rochester? If there were no frustrations, then the norm would be to bunch as a slower traffic flow. People follow people who flow as they would like to. So creating traffic that has to pass and move right forces active driving and a calmer road. Then it cascades. Sure a small minority might be free to drive faster, but the minority would be slower and the faster would be less risky(weaving) in doing their bad behavior, on Facebook Share Why are reminders to keep right not consistency present, multiple times within the journey from the cities to Rochester? If there were no frustrations, then the norm would be to bunch as a slower traffic flow. People follow people who flow as they would like to. So creating traffic that has to pass and move right forces active driving and a calmer road. Then it cascades. Sure a small minority might be free to drive faster, but the minority would be slower and the faster would be less risky(weaving) in doing their bad behavior, on Twitter Share Why are reminders to keep right not consistency present, multiple times within the journey from the cities to Rochester? If there were no frustrations, then the norm would be to bunch as a slower traffic flow. People follow people who flow as they would like to. So creating traffic that has to pass and move right forces active driving and a calmer road. Then it cascades. Sure a small minority might be free to drive faster, but the minority would be slower and the faster would be less risky(weaving) in doing their bad behavior, on Linkedin Email Why are reminders to keep right not consistency present, multiple times within the journey from the cities to Rochester? If there were no frustrations, then the norm would be to bunch as a slower traffic flow. People follow people who flow as they would like to. So creating traffic that has to pass and move right forces active driving and a calmer road. Then it cascades. Sure a small minority might be free to drive faster, but the minority would be slower and the faster would be less risky(weaving) in doing their bad behavior, link

    Why are reminders to keep right not consistency present, multiple times within the journey from the cities to Rochester? If there were no frustrations, then the norm would be to bunch as a slower traffic flow. People follow people who flow as they would like to. So creating traffic that has to pass and move right forces active driving and a calmer road. Then it cascades. Sure a small minority might be free to drive faster, but the minority would be slower and the faster would be less risky(weaving) in doing their bad behavior,

    cheether asked over 3 years ago
    Cheether, Thank you for your comment about signs and driving behavior on Hwy 52.

    A Minnesota state law requires drivers to keep to the right, but as you noted, it is not always the case.

    A team of MnDOT experts and the State Patrol work together to address roadway safety. Laws and regulations tell MnDOT where to put things, like signs, the width of lanes, pitch of the road and more. While the State Patrol enforces the laws related to drivers actions.

    How to get drivers to follow the laws and be safe is regularly evaluated by MnDOT and the State Patrol. I will pass your comment along to them.

    MnDOT has many of the signing requirements posted on a website for the engineers to resource. They are not easy documents to read, but may give you an idea of some of the considerations. If you're interested in learning more or have questions, please reach out to me. I will help get you in touch with one of the team members.
    keep right, driver behavior
    keep right driver behavior
Page last updated: 27 Jun 2024, 12:12 PM