By Bruce Karnick

[email protected]

All the pre-work up to this point should have prepared Hastings’s residents for what is about to come, the closure of Highway 316 effective May 24. The closure is expected to last until November from the junction at Highway 61 by the ice arena to Michael Avenue.

According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s website: The pavement on Hwy 316 from the north junction of Hwy 61 to Michael Ave. has outlived its useful life and will be replaced in 2021.

MnDOT studied other corridor improvements that will be implemented at the same time to help with safety and traffic flow for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

They list a summary of the work: Construct three roundabouts on Hwy 316 at Spiral Blvd., Tiffany Dr. and Tuttle Dr. Install center median on Hwy 316 to restrict certain movements at both public and private intersections. Add designated facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists on both the east and west side of Hwy 316. Add striped pedestrian crossings at specific locations along Hwy 316. Update signing and lighting throughout the reconstruction area.

Residents will have access to their homes, and the few businesses that have their only access on 316 will remain accessible during the project. The road will be closed to through traffic. As stated in prior editions of The Hastings Journal, regional detours to reach Red Wing and beyond are either 10th Street to Glendale Road / Nicolai Ave to 316, or Highway 61.

Detours for local traffic are plentiful but please use caution travelling on the side roads that are not used to heavy traffic.