Description: The project will construct a new north-south route on the east side of the City of Owatonna from near the US 218/18th Street SE intersection to CSAH 34 (26th Street NW). Traffic currently has no direct route for traveling between the northeast part and the southeast part of Owatonna. All existing highways and streets direct traffic towards the downtown area adding unnecessary traffic in the downtown area and increasing travel times. In 1999-2000, Steele County and the City of Owatonna recorded an Official Map of a future north-south road from 26th Street to US 14, calling it the East Side Corridor. In 2005, the County recorded an Official Map of the Owatonna Beltline, consisting in part of CSAH 43 to the east. While CSAH 43 will have connections to US 14 and will provide a north-south connection for future growth, it does not provide benefits for current needs of traffic on the east side of the City, especially with the relocation of the high school near the intersection of CSAH 48 and 18th Street NW.
Project Schedule:
2022 Environmental Study and Preliminary Design in progress
2023 Final Design & right of way acquisition
2024-2026 Construction in stages
More information:
Public Information Meeting
Thursday, July 21st, 2022, 4:00 - 6:00 pm
Steele County Community Center
1380 S Elm Ave
Owatonna, MN
If you aren't able to make it to the meeting, go to
www.eastsidecorridor.com to learn more about the project and provide feedback.
Map showing one possible alignment based mostly on a previous preferred alignment that was officially mapped in 2000. Actual alignment or corridor location subject to change, pending results of an updated Environmental Study and preliminary design in progress.
Official Map Official Map recorded in 2000 designating an alignment for the corridor. Actual alignment or corridor subject to change, pending results of an updated Environmental Study and preliminary design in progress.
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Description: The project will improve traffic and pedestrian safety, improve drainage, and restore the pavement condition. The roadway will be rehabilitated or reconstructed. Steep side slopes will be flattened and wider shoulders will be constructed in key areas. Opportunities to have a joint project with the Parks Department to improve Beaver Lake Park such as relocating the boat landing are being explored.
Construction Dates: 2024
More information: Public information meetings were held in September 2021 and February 2022.
More information is available at: https://hkgi.mysocialpinpoint.com/steele-county-csah-28-beaver-lake-park .
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Description: Steele County together with the City of Owatonna is conducting a feasibility study along Main Street from Oak Avenue to Chambers Avenue. A feasibility study looks at the existing conditions of a roadway and determines the best way to improve it. This study will include a thorough review of the corridor's pavement conditions; identification of opportunities of walking, biking, and rolling; and a traffic analysis of the entire study corridor.
Construction Dates: 2023
More information: A public information meeting was held in February 2022 to gather feedback on the existing conditions. Another meeting will be scheduled soon to get feedback on the proposed improvements.
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Description: The existing gravel road will be reconstructed to a paved roadway consistent with current State Aid and safety standards.
Construction Dates: Summer 2023
More Information: A virtual Open House was held June 16 to June 30, 2020. For more information about the project, click here.
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CR 180 (School Street) and Mineral Springs Road Railroad Bridges Feasibility Study
Description: The Steele County Highway Department, in partnership with the City of Owatonna, is having SRF Consulting and TKDA complete a feasibility study to consider alternatives for addressing a structurally deficient box culvert on County Road (CR) 180 and two Canadian Pacific Railway bridges with low roadway clearances on CR 180 and on Mineral Springs Road. The feasibility study is to look at alternatives and their impacts, determine project costs and funding sources, and recommend preferred alternatives.
Construction Dates: To be determined
More information: A public information meeting was held in April 2022
Click here for a media release announcing the start of the study.
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