Updates
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New lane closure begins today, lane changes Sept. 7
(Aug. 31, 2023 update) Hwy 52 motorists should be prepared for a new northbound right lane closure beginning Aug. 31 south of Zumbrota and lane changes for all traffic on Sept. 7 south of Cannon Falls.
The northbound right lane will close between the exits of Hwy 60 east and Hwy 58 at Zumbrota, but motorists will still be able to exit at Zumbrota. The work zone provides safety for workers and motorists while crews build a noise wall on the east side of the highway. This is part of the Hwy 52 Zumbrota to Cannon Falls project.
The lane changes south of Cannon Falls will switch the single-lane traffic in each direction from the northbound lanes to the southbound lanes just south of Goodhue Co. Rd 24. Hwy 52 traffic will remain a single lane in each direction on the southbound lanes beginning at Goodhue Co. Rd 24 in Cannon Falls extending to Skunk Hollow Trail. Crews are replacing large box culverts underneath the northbound lanes to connect to the culverts already installed under the southbound lanes at Butler Creek. They will also be completing a J-turn.
Signs will give advance notice of lane changes and closures. Make a habit to know before you go by checking 511mn.org before you start your travels. Be aware of road construction, traffic and other occurrences before you begin your trip.
These lane closures and shifts are expected to stay in place until late October.
The use of left turns is prohibited in the 16.5 miles of the work zone. Access to and from roads and driveways are limited to right-in and right-out movements only. The restriction during construction is to reduce abrupt speed changes that contribute to crashes.
Motorists should be alert for occasional slowdowns and traffic backups through the work zone, especially during heavy travel times such as the Labor Day weekend holiday.
Traffic reminders
Motorists are also reminded that:
- Direct access from 420th to Hwy 52 will close on Sept. 11.
- Goodhue Co. Rd 1 and 50 direct access to Hwy 52 has closed and motorists should take the new routes to the highway.
The Hwy 52 southbound reconstruction from Zumbrota to Cannon Falls project began in July 2021. Contractors are reconstructing the southbound lanes south of Cannon Falls to north of Zumbrota, installing snow fence and a noise wall. Additionally, they have built a new interchange at Hwy 57 at Hader, replaced four bridges, built a park-and-ride lot and closed access to the highway to improve safety.
Hwy 52 bridge removal begins April 19 north of Zumbrota
(April 27, 2023 update) Please remember that left turns on Hwy 52 in the work zone between Zumbrota and Cannon Falls are not allowed. State troopers will be patrolling the work zone to monitor motorist speeds and ensure that unsafe turns are not being made. The left-turn restriction during construction is to reduce abrupt speed changes that contribute to crashes.
Motorists who want to make left turns typically will need to travel to the next exit where they can cross over and return in the opposite direction to make a right turn or exit the road on the right to reach locations no longer accessed from Hwy 52.
Reconstruction of southbound Hwy 52 is occurring in two locations. These lane closures and shifts are expected to be in place until mid-November, when the project is completed. Motorists can expect traffic delays at times through the construction zone especially during mornings, evenings and weekends.
Hwy 52 construction north of work zone
A separate construction project began north of the Cannon Falls to Zumbrota project on Wednesday, April 26. Hwy 52 traffic was moved into a single lane in the right lane from Hwy 55 in Rosemount to south of Hwy 50 near Hampton, as crews set cones and striped the road to prepare for this year’s construction on Hwy 52.
Then beginning at 12:01 a.m. Monday, May 1, the contractor will move Hwy 52 traffic into a single lane in each direction in the southbound lanes, from Hwy 55 in Rosemount to south of Hwy 50 near Hampton, as crews repave the road with concrete.
When traffic is in a single lane in each direction on the southbound side, the use of left turns will be prohibited everywhere in the work zones. Access to and from roads and driveways will be limited to right-in and right-out movements only.
The following ramps to northbound Hwy 52 will also be closed and detoured:
- Dakota Co. Rd. 42
- Hwy 50
These lane closures are needed as crews begin construction for the 2023-2024 project to resurface Hwy 52 between Co. Rd. 42 in Rosemount and Co. Rd. 86 in Hampton Township.
Hwy 52 bridge removal begins April 19 north of Zumbrota
(April 18, 2023 update) Construction crews will begin removing the Hwy 52 southbound bridge over the Zumbro River on Wednesday, April 19 as the Hwy 52 Zumbrota to Cannon Falls project continues
The demolition work will last several days. Work will be performed during late morning or early afternoon hours. The Hwy 52 bridge is south of Goodhue Co. Rd. 7
During this time, it’s possible people may hear loud construction noise, feel vibrations, and see dust. Monitoring procedures and all required safety precautions will be in place as crews remove the bridge
Additionally, access to water trails through this area will be temporarily restricted during the demolition process.
Traffic
Traffic between Goodhue Co. Rd. 24 and just north of Goodhue Co. Rd. 9 is traveling in single lanes in each direction in the northbound lanes. Traffic between 415th St. (just north of Goodhue Co. Rd. 50) to just north of Goodhue Co. Rd. 68 (445th St.) in Zumbrota is traveling in single lanes in each direction in the northbound lanes beginning Tuesday, April 18.
Motorists will be alerted in advance of the lane changes. These lane closures and shifts are expected to be in place until mid-November, when the project is completed.
Reconstruction of southbound Hwy 52 will be occurring in both locations. Motorists can expect traffic delays at times through the construction zone especially during mornings, evenings and weekends.
Hwy 52 Zumbrota to Cannon Falls traffic changes begin April 13
(April 11, 2023 update) Motorists should be prepared for traffic changes as the Hwy 52 Zumbrota to Cannon Falls project construction work begins. The contractor will be moving traffic into single lanes in each direction in the northbound lanes, so they can begin removing the pavement in the southbound lanes.
Traffic between Goodhue Co. Rd. 24 and just north of Goodhue Co. Rd. 9 will be traveling in the northbound lanes starting Thursday, April 13, weather permitting. Traffic between 415th St. (just north of Goodhue Co. Rd. 50) to just north of Goodhue Co. Rd. 68 (445th St.) in Zumbrota will be traveling in the northbound lanes starting Tuesday, April 18.
Motorists will be alerted in advance of the lane changes. These lane closures and shifts are expected to be in place until mid-November, when the project is completed.
Reconstruction of southbound Hwy 52 will be occurring in both locations. The replacement of the Hwy 52 southbound bridge over the Zumbro River will also occur in the work zone closest to Zumbrota.
Once construction begins, motorists can expect traffic delays at times through the construction zone especially during mornings, evenings and weekends.
Hwy 52 Zumbrota to Cannon Falls construction begins April 10
(April 6, 2023 update) The start of the third and final year of major construction on the Hwy 52 Zumbrota to Cannon Falls project is planned to begin on April 10, 2023, weather permitting. Once construction begins, motorists can expect traffic delays through the construction zone during mornings, evenings and weekends.
Traffic impacts
The following lane closures, lane shifts and access closures will begin once construction starts and last for approximately seven months. When traffic is in a single lane of traffic in each direction on the northbound side, the use of left turns will be prohibited everywhere in the work zones. Access to and from roads and driveways will be limited to right-in and right-out movements only. The restriction during construction is to reduce abrupt speed changes that contribute to crashes.
At the bottom of the Home page, under Traffic impacts, you will find more detailed information on closures and restrictions, including maps.
Lane closures and single lane of traffic in each direction
The following lane closures and lane shifts will begin as noted and once construction starts will last approximately seven months. All dates are tentative and weather dependent.
- Starting April 10: Hwy 52 will be reduced to a single lane in each direction beginning at Goodhue Co. Rd. 24 in Cannon Falls and extending to 4,000 feet north of Co. Rd. 9.
- Motorist can expect single lane closures, lane shifts and single lane of traffic in each direction on the northbound lanes. Signs will give advance notice of lane changes.
- Starting April 17: Hwy 52 will be reduced to a single lane in each direction beginning at 415th St. (just north of Goodhue Co. Rd. 50) and extending to Goodhue Co. Rd. 68 (445th St.) in Zumbrota.
- Motorist can expect single lane closures, lane shifts and a single lane of traffic in each direction on the northbound lanes. Signs will give advance notice of lane changes.
Road access closures
Permanent township and county road access closures to Hwy 52 will occur in conjunction with the Hwy 52 single lane of traffic in each direction. These closures are permanent to improve long term safety along Hwy 52 by reducing uncontrolled intersection access.
- Closures starting April 13:
- Co. Rd. 14 to Hwy 52 (southbound)
- Close access of Co. Rd. 1 (southbound and northbound)
- Closures starting April 17:
- Co. Rd. 50 Blvd. to Hwy 52 (southbound and northbound)
- 142nd Ave. Way (southbound)
Local road access restrictions
Additional county and township roads along with driveways will have access restrictions to Hwy 52 in conjunction with the single lane of traffic in each direction on the northbound lanes. The restrictions will prohibit the use of left turns to all traffic except emergency vehicles. Access to and from the following roads will be limited to right-in and right-out movements only. These restriction during construction are to reduce abrupt speed changes that contribute to crashes.
- Restrictions starting April 13:
- Skunk Hollow Trail
- Wagner Hill Way
- Additional local roads and driveways - details at the bottom of the Home page, under Traffic impacts
- Closures starting April 17:
- 145th Ave. Way
- Goodhue Co. Rd. 7
- Sherwood Trail
- 165th Ave. – Closed West of Hwy 52 (southbound)
2022 construction summary and 2023 planned work
(Dec. 7, 2022 update) The 2022 construction season wrapped in mid-November 2022, and with that comes an opportunity to give a summary of all the work that was completed. This construction summary is presented in visual format through a series of maps so that it is easy to see where the work was completed. In addition to an overview of 2022 construction, there is also an overview of 2023 construction.