Temporary traffic signals installed as construction moves to Hwy. 43/Mankato Avenue

MAY 26, 2022 This week, construction moved to Hwy 43/Mankato Ave. This caused significant traffic delays on Wednesday as we transitioned to temporary traffic signals. We apologize for this inconvenience – major delays and traffic backups are not acceptable. We believe the system is now working much closer to how it was intended. Traffic is still slow going through the work zone, but the flow is much better now. You can help contribute to a safe work zone by keeping an eye out for signs, signaling your turns or lane changes, and being patient with other drivers who may not have driven through this area before. Current work Traffic is now moving through the Hwy 61/Hwy 43 intersection on temporary roads and controlled by temporary traffic signals. Look ahead for signs that identify the proper lane you should be in. As you approach on Hwy 61, practice the zipper merge, which helps move traffic more safely and efficiently through the merge point when both lanes take turns. Access to East Lake Blvd as well as Sugar Loaf Rd near the corner of Hwy 43/61 is closed for construction. There is no through traffic on East Lake Blvd. Detour routes are: • Use Huff Street at Hwy 61 to reach homes, businesses and other destinations along East Lake Blvd. • Use Sugar Loaf Road at Hwy 43 to reach homes, businesses and other destinations along Sugar Loaf Rd. Before turning at an intersection on Mankato Ave, check to make sure turns are allowed there. We are adding additional signs and pavement markings to catch the attention of more drivers. All businesses can be accessed through the work zone. If you are trying to reach Dairy Queen, Winona Health, the Winona Family YMCA and others located along that side of Mankato Ave, you can turn at Frontenac Drive or you can reach them via Hwy 61 and Parks Ave. Looking ahead Keep an eye out for the following work in the coming weeks: • Crews will close one side of Hwy 43/Mankato Ave at a time, leaving the remaining two lanes open to allow access to destinations. As they complete one, they open it and move to the next. • Construction crews will pulverize the asphalt on the closed portions of road. • A sanitary sewer crossing will be installed near the Dairy Queen. • Work on Sarnia St to replace a box culvert will likely begin in mid-June. In-person construction meetings discontinued Most of our weekly six in-person construction update meetings have had no community members in attendance, so we will be discontinuing them going forward. These weekly construction updates include all the information we would cover in the in-person meetings. If you have questions or concerns about the project, please call or email us. You can visit the project website and sign up for updates and provide project feedback.