Olmsted County Public Works

05/26/2026

Summer is calling, and that means epic road trips, weekend getaways, and quality time with family and friends. However, because the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are historically the most traveled – and the most dangerous days on roads, law enforcement is stepping up patrols through the summer. They will be heavily targeting the "Big Four" behaviors that contribute to the most crashes: speeding, distracted driving, driving while impaired, and not wearing a seat belt.

It’s easy to treat the daily commute or weekend drive as routine, but the reality is that the road can be unpredictable. According to safety experts, most crashes are the result of choices made behind the wheel. Last year alone, between May 26 and September 1, there were 111 fatalities on Minnesota roads.

The breakdown reveals the tragic truth that these 111 fatalities were preventable.
• Never drive impaired: 37 deaths involved alcohol.
• Slow down: 31 deaths involved speeding.
• Buckle up: 16 deaths involved a victim not wearing a seat belt.
• Stay focused: 5 deaths involved a distracted driver.

Making the conscious choice to slow down, buckle up, stay focused, and drive sober can mean the difference between life and death – for you, your loved ones, and everyone else on the road. Together, we can drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.

05/19/2026

As we head into the warmer months, many are dusting off bicycles to enjoy the sunshine, commute, or get some exercise. Since May is National Bike Safety Month, it is the perfect time to share a few quick reminders to help keep both cyclists and drivers safe on the road this summer.

For Cyclists: Gear Up & Stay Alert
• Check your equipment: Ensure your tires are properly inflated, seats are locked, and your bike is equipped with reflectors.
• Wear a helmet: Every rider, every time. Make sure it fits snugly – two finger-widths above your eyebrow, with the chin strap securely fastened.
• Be visible: Wear bright or reflective clothing and use flashing lights if riding at night.
• Follow the rules: Obey all traffic laws, ride single-file in the direction of traffic, and always use hand signals.

For Drivers: Share the Road
• Practice the "far-hand reach": When parking, use your hand furthest from the door to open it. This forces you to turn your body and check your blind spot for oncoming cyclists before opening the door.
• Give space: Always stay alert and give cyclists plenty of room on the road.

Safety is a shared responsibility and integrating simple, mindful habits into our daily routines can help assure everyone makes it home at the end of the day. Together, we can drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.

05/12/2026

To help keep everyone safe during daily commutes and summer travel, beginning May 11, running through May 31, law enforcement agencies across the state will be conducting a statewide seat belt enforcement and awareness campaign. While more than 95% of Minnesotans wear their seat belts, sadly, those who don’t buckle up make up nearly a third of all traffic fatalities.

Know the Law & Stay Safe
• Adults: Minnesota law requires all drivers and passengers to wear seat belts. Ensure the belt is tight across your hips and the shoulder strap is across your chest – never tuck it under your arm or behind your back.
• Children:
o Under 2 years: Rear-facing car seats are the safest option.
o Ages 4–9: Use a belt-positioning booster seat until they pass the five-step test.
o Under 13: Children should always sit in the back seat whenever possible.
• The Golden Rule: If a child fits in more than one category, the child must be placed in the more protective category.

The Numbers
• 95.2%: The record-high percentage of Minnesotans wearing seat belts last year.
• The gap: While usage is rising, it fell among young adults (16–29) and pickup truck users.
• 29: The number of unbelted traffic fatalities already recorded in Minnesota as of May 10 this year.

Please remember to Buckle up. Every Seat. Every Ride. Together, we can drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.

05/11/2026

Bridge Replacement and Bituminous Surfacing on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 3, starting Friday, May 15, 2026

Olmsted County Public Works is beginning a bridge replacement and bituminous surfacing project on May 15, 2026. This includes replacing the existing bridge across the middle fork of the Zumbro River, approximately 1,000 feet south of 8th Street SW in Pine Island and resurfacing the existing bitumino...

05/05/2026

Left turn lane project on County State Aid Highways (CSAH) 25 and 9, starting May 11, 2026

Olmsted County Public Works is beginning a left turn lane installation project on May 11, 2026. This includes bituminous shoulder and concrete pavement removal, concrete paving, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades, and restriping the intersections of CSAH 25 (Salem Rd SW) with County Road...

05/05/2026

Every day, trauma teams across the state treat patients fighting for their lives after devastating crashes. In these critical moments, the most powerful tool our medical teams have isn't just their skill – it’s donated blood. Trauma teams perform incredible work, but they can’t do it alone. They rely on a safe and reliable blood supply provided by donors. In recognition of Trauma Awareness Month, the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program and the Trauma Center are joining forces to launch the Trauma Awareness Month Blood Donation Challenge with a goal of collecting 141 donations – one for every unit of blood used for trauma patients each month.

Why Your Donation Matters
• 1 donation = 3 lives: A single appointment can save up to three people.
• High demand: A single crash victim can require 50 to 100 units of blood in just a few hours.
• A community lifeline: Your donation gives a neighbor, colleague or friend the chance to return home.

How You Can Help
• Schedule an appointment: Whether you are a regular donor or a first timer, now is the perfect time to get involved.
• Visit the Bloodmobile: If you are in the Rochester area on May 13, join the Saint Marys Blood Drive for trauma trivia, treats and prizes!

When you donate, you aren’t just providing a medical resource – you are providing hope. Together, we can support our trauma teams and help drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.

04/28/2026

Although Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month officially kicks off May 1, spring weather has given motorcyclists a jumpstart to the riding season. Unfortunately, preliminary reports show that three motorcyclists have already died on Minnesota roads this year. This is why it is important to remind all motorists that riders and drivers need to work together to share the road.

Motorists
• Watch for motorcycles. Due to the smaller size of motorcycles, their speed and distance is more difficult to judge.
• Always look twice before entering a roadway, turning left or changing lanes.
• Give riders room by maintaining a three-second (or more) following distance and double-check blind spots.
• Pay attention and drive at safe speeds, especially on corners and unfamiliar roads.

Riders
• Be prepared for inattentive drivers by staying focused on riding, keeping your speed in check and maintaining a three-second (or more) following distance.
• Wear the gear, preferably helmet to boots. Motorcyclists are highly encouraged to wear a DOT-approved helmet and brightly colored protective gear for visibility and protection.
• Get trained. Rider training helps new riders develop better skills and earn a license, while returning and experienced riders can sharpen their skills.
• Don’t drink or ride impaired, every year about one-third or more of all motorcycle fatalities involve impaired riders.
• Know how to navigate a curve. Here are tips to ride through curves safely:
o Slow down for the curve.
o Look through the curve.
o Press the handgrip in the direction you want to go.
o Gently roll on through the curve.

We all have the power to make choices behind the wheel and the handlebars to keep everyone safe. Together we can drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.

04/27/2026

Roadway reconstruction work on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 21 continuing May 4

04/23/2026

County State Aid Highway 44 (75th Street NW) lane closure

County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 44 (75th Street NW) will be reduced to a single lane using a temporary traffic signal from 40th Ave NW to 50th Ave NW for turn lane construction starting April 27, 2026. The work is expected to be completed by June 30, 2026, weather permitting. The contractor for the....

04/21/2026

With construction season kicking off and "spring fever" in the air, it’s time for an important reminder to motorists to slow down and stay alert behind the wheel. This week marks National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW), and this year’s theme, "Safe Actions Save Lives," serves as a vital reminder that together, we can drive Minnesota toward zero deaths. The annual campaign is held at the start of construction season to encourage safer driving through work zones and to remind road workers of the importance of staying alert.

The stakes are incredibly high – in 2023 alone, nationwide, nearly 900 people died in work zone crashes. Notably, the vast majority of those killed were the drivers and passengers themselves. To drive this message home, the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Office of Maintenance is partnering with the Office of Traffic Engineering and Construction to set up a powerful, visual display on I-35. They placed 54 barrels, each one representing a fallen MnDOT worker, along a mile-long stretch on the right shoulders between Forest Lake and Faribault. The display also includes message boards that read: “Each Barrel Equals One Worker Fatality, Drive with Care, We Rely on You.”

Share these work zone safety tips with friends and family to help them understand the dangers road workers face every day. Understanding that the risks are real can change the way people drive.
• Eyes up, phone down: Distracted drivers are the biggest threat; maintain constant 360-degree awareness and face traffic whenever possible.
• The "Exit Plan": Always have an escape route in mind and stay alert for screeching tires and horns.
• Be seen: Ensure your high-vis PPE is clean, in good condition and worn correctly.
• Park smart: Use work vehicles as a buffer between the crew and traffic and keep all activity and equipment within the designated work zone whenever possible.

Whether you earn a living on the roads or travel them to get home, it is vital to stay focused – especially in work zones. Your life and the lives of others depend on it. Together we can drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.