The Minnesota Department of Transportation invites the Hastings community to learn about the 2027-2029 reconstruction project on Highway 61 between just north of 3^rd Street and just south of 36^th Street on Tuesday, July 14.

The meeting will be held in person from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Hastings High School Lecture Hall at 200 General Sieben Dr., Hastings, MN 55033. A presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak with project staff, ask questions, and learn more about the planned project designs, timelines, and construction impacts and improvements.

Here’s the project description from the project website (https://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/hwy61hastings/index.html):

About this project

“Crews will reconstruct and improve a 2.7-mile stretch of Hwy 61 between just north of 3rd St. and just south of 36th St. in Hastings. The majority of work will be done in 2028, with some preliminary work completed in fall 2027.

We have begun preliminary engineering for the highway and other key elements. Sign up for email updates on this project if you would like to be notified about upcoming engagement opportunities and to stay informed about construction.

The upcoming work is a result of the study of Hwy 61 in Hastings between 4th St. and 36th St. That study identified safety improvements for all modes of travel, alternatives for primary intersections, and options to consolidate private driveways and public roads. 

Summary of work

• Reconstruct Hwy 61 from just north of 3rd St. to south of 36th St. with concrete pavement from north of 3rd St. to the new roundabout at Hwy 316
• Replace the Todd Field wall along Hwy 61
• Construct new full-size roundabouts at Hwy 316 and 36th St.
• Construct new 6-foot concrete sidewalks and pedestrian ramps along both sides of Hwy 61
• Add 8-foot trail along Hwy 61 from Hwy 316 to 36th St.
• Add a traffic signal at the intersection at Hwy 61 and 18th St.
• Accessibilityimprovements
• Update drainage
• Utility upgrades

Benefits

• Improve safety
• Improve traffic flow and reduce congestion
• Improve accessibility for the community and businesses
• Protect Todd Field from highway traffic
• Improve intersections
• Provide a smooth road surface
• Update drainage and city utility infrastructure

Cost

• $30-40 million (current estimate)