Construction of a roundabout in New Ulm is underway

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - Construction of a single lane roundabout at the intersection of Highway 14 and Highland Ave. in New Ulm is set to begin today.

The project will include a new sidewalk and trail to connect two existing locations.

Highway 14 from Brown County Road 12 to North Garden Street will be closed during construction. Traffic will be detoured to Brown County Roads 12 and 29, and access to businesses will remain open during construction.

MnDOT is expecting the project to be completed in late July.

“This roundabout is a coordination between MnDOT and the city of New Ulm to improve safety at this intersection,” said Project Manager Bailey Wolff. “Being as you can see, the two- the four lanes behind us, it’s pretty busy, so the roundabout should improve pedestrian traffic along with bicycle traffic.”

While this project is in progress, MnDOT wants people to remember important work zone safety: slow down when approaching every work zone, never enter a roadway that has been blocked with barriers or cones, stay alert (watch for workers and slow-moving equipment), obey posted speed limits, minimize distractions behind the wheel and be patient (expect delays, especially during peak travel times).

“At the New Ulm farm show, we gave a presentation about the roundabout,” Wolff said. “We also gave a presentation at our open house, which we held at the New Ulm airport and all we’ve gotten back is positive feedback, so everyone’s looking forward to, you know, a safer crossing for the public with bicycles and with the school just down the road, and all these businesses, and just this area really growing with the residential areas and things like that.”

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