Olmsted County Public Works

10/06/2026

October’s Pedestrian Safety Month is a great time for a quick reminder about a sneaky habit that can create dangerous situations for drivers and pedestrians – headphone and earbud distraction. Blocking out surrounding noise leaves you relying entirely on sight, creating silent blind spots that put everyone at risk. And in Minnesota, wearing earbuds or headphones in both ears while driving isn't just dangerous, it’s illegal.

Risks for Drivers
• Muffled sirens and horns: Blocks the sound of emergency vehicles, honking horns and railway signals.
• Distracted driving: Music or podcasts in both ears create a hidden distraction, slowing reaction times.
• The law: State law prohibits wearing headphones in both ears while driving.

Risks for Pedestrians
• Hidden hazards: Blocks the sound of turning cars, bicycles or electric scooters coming from behind.
• Crosswalk vulnerability: Stepping into a crosswalk or parking lot requires all your attention, so keeping ears open and staying alert is a must.

Quick Tips to Stay Safe
• Keep one ear free: Always leave at least one ear completely uncovered if using headphones outdoors.
• Unplug to cross: Take earbuds out entirely when crossing streets, driveways or parking lots.
• Stay alert: Maximize awareness by staying fully tuned into the surrounding environment.

As daylight shrinks and fall schedules pick up, staying tuned in with both eyes and ears can help ensure that everyone makes it home safely. Together, we can drive Minnesota toward zero deaths!

10/01/2026

Culvert replacement work on County Road (CR) 102 and 20th St. SE starting Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Olmsted County Public Works is beginning a culvert replacement project on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. This work will take place on the east side of the intersection of CR 102 and 20th Street SE, as indicated on the map below. The work is expected to be completed same day, weather permitting. 

09/29/2026

Harvest season has kicked off across Minnesota, which means our rural roads are seeing a major increase in slow-moving agricultural equipment. Farmers are working long hours to get the crops out and put food on our tables. It's up to all of us to protect them – and ourselves – so everyone makes it home safely at the end of the day.

When you encounter farm machinery, keep these quick tips in mind:
• Watch for modern lighting: Today's newer tractors and combines feature advanced lighting packages with multiple flashing lights and strobes that can sometimes be visually confusing. Instead of getting distracted by the flash, look closely for standard amber warning beacons and clear directional turn signals.
• Give extra room to older equipment: Older tractors often have fewer lights and limited visibility, and operators sometimes rely on traditional hand signals that can be hard to spot or interpret. Give them plenty of extra space and time.
• Anticipate wide turns: Large equipment often needs to swing wide to the left before making a sharp right-hand turn into a field or driveway. Never assume a tractor hugging the right side of the road is pulling over to let you pass.
• Mind the speed difference: Watch for the reflective orange and red Slow-Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblem. Because farm equipment tops out at 25 mph, you'll catch up to a slow-moving combine a lot quicker than you expect.
• Pass with extreme caution: Never attempt to pass farm equipment in a designated no-passing zone, on a hill, around a curve or near intersections and driveways. Always double-check that the operator isn't signaling a left turn before you make a move.
• Watch for dust and debris: Harvest operations kick up heavy dust clouds that can instantly reduce visibility, while mud and crop debris tracked onto the road can create slick conditions near field entrances. Slow down and give yourself extra stopping distance.

A little extra space, patience and caution go a long way in preventing tragedies on our country roads. Let’s look out for each other and drive Minnesota toward zero deaths this harvest season.

09/22/2026

Child Passenger Safety Week is September 20–26! That makes this the perfect time for parents and caregivers to take a moment to ensure their child is in the right seat for their age and size, verify that it is installed properly and check that the harness or seat belt fits securely. As children grow, their safety needs change. Here is a quick breakdown of Minnesota law, essential safety reminders and local resources to keep your young passengers protected.

Minnesota Law Highlights
• Rear-Facing: Children must ride rear-facing until they are at least 2 years old and have reached the weight or height limit specified by the car seat manufacturer.
• Forward-Facing: Once they outgrow rear-facing, children must ride in a forward-facing seat with a harness until they are at least 4 years old and have reached the harness weight or height limit.
• Booster Seat: After outgrowing the forward-facing harness, children must use a booster seat until they are at least 9 years old or have outgrown the booster seat and the vehicle seat belt fits correctly (use the 5-Step Test to verify).
• Back Seat: Children under age 13 must ride in the back seat whenever possible.
• Under 18: All children and teens under 18 years old must be properly restrained in the appropriate car seat, booster seat or seat belt.

Quick Safety Checklist
• Harness Fit: Ensure the harness is snug (use the pinch test) and position the chest clip level with the armpits.
• Car seat Installation: Check for movement at the belt path. A properly installed seat should move less than one inch side-to-side or front-to-back.
• Top Tether: Always connect and tighten the top tether when using a forward-facing seat. It limits forward head movement in a crash, protecting the child’s head and neck.
• Don't Rush the Next Stage: Keep children in each stage for as long as possible until they hit the maximum height or weight limits set by the manufacturer.
• Register Your Seat: Register your car seat or booster with the manufacturer so you're notified immediately of any safety recalls. You can also use NHTSA's SaferCar App for updates.
• Avoid Common Errors: Small details make a big difference. Learn what to look for with BuckleUpMN’s Car Seat Mistakes Guide.

Resources and Free Inspections:
Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) are available across Minnesota to assist parents and caregivers with hands-on help:
• Find a Check Up Event: Upcoming Car Seat and Booster Seat Checkup Events
• Get 1-on-1 Assistance: Find a Local CPST by County
• Know the Law: Full Overview of Minnesota Child Passenger Safety Law

A few minutes today helps make sure your young passengers are safe on every trip. Please share these resources with your family, friends and community. Together, we can drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.

09/08/2026

With school back in session, our morning and afternoon commutes are getting a lot busier. Whether you're driving near school zones or walking during your lunch break, extra awareness goes a long way toward keeping everyone safe. Here are a few quick reminders to keep top of mind:

Drivers:
• Slow down in school zones: Children can be unpredictable and hard to see between parked cars.
• Stop for red lights on buses: Flashing red lights and the extended stop arm mean stop – it’s the law.
• Ditch the distractions: Phones down, especially when navigating neighborhood drop-off zones or busy crosswalks.

Pedestrians:
• Be visible: Use marked crosswalks whenever possible and make eye contact with drivers before stepping off the curb.
• Heads up, phones down: Keep your eyes off your device while crossing streets or walking through parking lots.
• Listen up: If you walk with headphones, keep the volume low or leave one ear free so you stay aware of traffic.

Let’s all do our part to keep neighborhood streets and crosswalks safe this school year. Together, we can drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.

08/25/2026

Back to school means yellow buses, extra morning traffic and busier neighborhood streets. When you’re racing against the clock to drop off the kids and make it to your morning meeting, it’s easy to let speed sneak up on you. Remember, a little preparation goes a long way toward keeping everyone safe.

Did You Know? (Fun Fact Time!)
• The "5 mph" myth: On an average 10-mile city commute, speeding 5 to 10 mph over the limit only saves you about 60 to 90 seconds. That extra minute isn’t worth a ticket or possible crash.
• School bus safety zone: Flashing yellow lights mean the bus is preparing to stop; flashing red lights mean stop immediately. Motorists must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus that is displaying flashing red lights, regardless of whether the stop arm has been extended, when approaching from the rear and from the opposite direction on undivided roads. In Minnesota, passing a bus with flashing red lights carries a minimum $500 fine!

Outsmart the Rush: Pre-Trip Hacks for a Stress-Free Morning
• Prep night before: Outfit picks, lunch packing and backpack hunts are best handled before bed, not at 7:15 a.m.
• Know your route: Construction and adjusted school zones can pop up overnight – check your GPS before turning the key.
• Pad your schedule: Leaving 5 to 10 minutes earlier eliminates the panic when getting slowed down by unexpected red lights or traffic.

Planning ahead allows drivers to slow down, put distractions away – and stay focused on the road. Together, we can drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.

08/12/2026

Keeping yourself and others safe starts before you hit the road. Get familiar with essentials like wipers, turn signals, headlights and climate controls so you’re not fumbling behind the wheel while the vehicle is in motion. Understanding your dashboard warning lights is just as important. Confusion about an illuminated symbol can cause unnecessary distraction, and ignoring a critical warning could lead to serious mechanical trouble or safety hazards.

Dashboard light colors: What they mean
• Green/Blue = Informational: Indicates a system is active, such as cruise control.
• Yellow = Service Soon: Requires attention but is generally safe for short-distance driving.
• Red = Stop: Indicates a critical safety or mechanical issue, such as overheating or low oil pressure.

What to do if a light turns on:
• Stay calm and check the color of the warning light.
• Pull over safely if the light is red.
• Consult your owner’s manual to verify the issue.

Taking a few minutes to review your vehicle’s owner manual can help keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, prevent costly repairs – and could save a life. Together, we can drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.

08/07/2026

Pavement work on County Road (CR) 3 starting August 13, 2026

ROCHESTER, Minn. – Olmsted County Public Works is beginning a roadway paving project on August 13, 2026. This work will take place just south of Trunk Highway (TH) 30, as indicated on the map provided below. The work is expected to be completed same day, weather permitting.

08/05/2026

Rochester Public Utilities work on County Road 125 (Mayowood Road SW) on August 12, 2026

ROCHESTER, Minn. – County Road 125 (Mayowood Road SW) will be closed for utility work from 16th Street SW to Restoration Road SW on August 12, 2026. The work is expected to be completed on the same day, weather permitting. Rochester Public Utilities is the contractor for the project.

08/04/2026

Hundreds of thousands of riders and visitors will be traveling across the region over the next few weeks to attend the 86th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. While the rally takes place August 7–16, traffic will build significantly in the days prior and remain heavy as riders travel home afterward. The heavy increase in rider volume, combined with active summer construction work zones, means extra caution will be essential for everyone on the road.

What to Expect During Rally Travel Weeks
• Increased I-90 traffic: Expect groups of motorcycles, touring rigs and vehicles towing motorcycle trailers along major corridors, especially across southern Minnesota.
• Heavy activity in work zones: Multiple active construction projects along I-90 bring lane closures, lane shifts and reduced speed limits.

How to Share the Road Safely
• Check blind spots twice: Motorcycles are easily hidden in vehicle blind spots. Double-check mirrors and look over your shoulder before changing lanes or merging.
• Give extra following distance: Allow a 3- to 4-second following distance behind motorcycles. Riders frequently need to adjust their lane position or slow down to avoid road hazards like gravel, pavement seams or debris.
• Look twice at intersections: Left turns at intersections remain a primary cause of motorcycle crashes. Scan for oncoming riders and judge their speed carefully before turning.
• Stay patient in work zones: Reduce speeds, obey posted work zone signs and give riders extra room to maneuver through single-lane sections or rough road surfaces.
• Eliminate distractions: One second of distraction can prevent you from noticing a rider slowing down or stopping ahead.

If you are traveling across the state during peak rally travel times, check live traffic maps, active construction updates and travel times at 511mn.org before heading out. Together, we can drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.