KASOTA — The Minnesota Department of Transportation has begun preliminary work near Kasota for a 2025-2026 construction project for Highway 22 between Mankato and St. Peter.
Crews are installing erosion control devices, removing trees and vegetation and doing pavement work on a section of Industrial Street between Le Sueur County Road 41 (Pearl Street) and Le Sueur County Road 21.
Work will begin soon on a new roadway adjacent to Pearl Street that will expand Industrial Street and provide access to businesses during the months-long Highway 22 project.
Crews also will be realigning the existing street, installing drainage structures and culverts as well as working on curbs and gutters, pavement and lighting.
Local access for businesses near Industrial Road will be maintained with minor impacts for motorists, according to a MnDOT press release. This preliminary work should be completed by mid-October.
Highway 22 from Mankato to St. Peter will remain open to traffic this year; however, motorists will encounter minor traffic impacts related to utility work and other preliminary construction work.
Detours will be in place while the section of Highway 22 from Mankato to St. Peter is temporarily closed, starting at some point in 2025.
The project will include reconstructing the roadway from south of Blue Earth County Road 57 in Mankato to a point just south of the Minnesota River Bridge in St. Peter. New turn and passing lanes will be added and a roundabout will be constructed at Hill Street (Le Sueur County Road 21) in Kasota.
Lighting improvements at intersections, bridge repairs and replacements also are planned. Also, snow fences will be installed and preparations will be put in place for a future construction project — a walking and biking trail that will connect Mankato to St. Peter.
Construction of a dual-lane roundabout at the intersection of Highway 22 and Augusta Drive in Mankato is expected to continue until early October.
The project also includes constructing new trail and realigning existing trails.
MnDOT has postponed construction on the Le Sueur County 45 (Rabbit Road) Bridge. Originally planned for construction this year, the project has been postponed until 2026. Work on Rabbit Road in 2026 will include a mill and overlay project, the replacement of approach panels, new drainage and culverts and new guardrails.
Visit the project website for more information and detour routes: dot.state.mn.us/d7/projects/hwy22augustadrive/index.html.