Owatonna Intersection Now Open to Traffic

The intersection at Cedar Avenue and 26th Street, on the north end of town, has been under construction since June 10th. There was a plan to put in a roundabout at that intersection to help with traffic flow. The project was scheduled to be completed on August 16th, and, guess what? The intersection is now open to traffic in all directions.

I noticed this yesterday evening as I live on the north end of town. The road closure signs were removed, and the intersection is open. There is still some lighting work to be completed, which will be done later this Fall. The road construction signage and barrels will remain in place until the lighting is finished.

According to the media release from the Steele County Highway Department, this roundabout is a mini-roundabout. There is no landscaping in the middle, instead, there is red pavement in the center and approach medians that are there for larger vehicles to drive over as needed for turns. Smaller vehicles should remain in the lanes.

The release also included a link to an instructional video from the Minnesota Department of Transporation, as this is a mini-roundabout, the first in Steele County.