Public engagement
None scheduled at this time
Meetings held
- Public meeting and discussion held May 13, 2025, at Rockville City Hall
- Public meeting held June 11, 2024, at Rockville City Hall
What we heard
MnDOT appreciates the community's feedback during the public engagement process of this project. We have carefully weighed all concerns, and ultimately, our priority is to enhance safety at this intersection. Given the J-turn design's proven track record of significantly reducing severe crashes, we plan to move forward with construction at Hwy 23 and Stearns Co. Rd. 8 in Rockville in 2027.
MnDOT's response to top public concerns
We have documented, collected and thoroughly reviewed all input. These concerns are summarized and addressed below.
Public concern: Some residents feel MnDOT isn't listening to community concerns or taking local input seriously.
- MnDOT response: We value all public input and record every comment. Your feedback informs final design and future planning. MnDOT consistently engages with local officials and the public. We've organized your concerns and provided our responses here.
Public concern: The Co. Rd. 8 intersection works well for many drivers, and the project doesn't seem necessary.
- MnDOT response: While many drivers use this intersection without issues, Co. Rd. 8 meets statewide safety criteria for improvements. Our analysis shows crash patterns, traffic speeds and collision types (like T-bone, head-on, or side-swipe crashes) justify the project. The new design aims to reduce serious crashes, especially T-bone collisions.
Public concern: It's not clear how crash data, including contributing factors (age, seat belt use) and data collection methods, justify the changes at Co. Rd.8.
- MnDOT response: MnDOT uses five- and 10-year crash histories, severity and types to determine safety needs. We review all law enforcement-reported crashes in the statewide database, including fatalities. Engineering studies help us identify if road design can fix specific crash patterns. Traffic study data from 2017-2021 guided this project; we continue to monitor the corridor.
Public concern: MnDOT should consider a roundabout, overpass or signal instead of a J-turn. Has MnDOT evaluated peak-hour traffic volumes?
- MnDOT response: Yes, MnDOT evaluated signals, roundabouts and an overpass through our technical intersection data report process, which included peak-hour traffic volumes. Roundabouts and overpasses suit higher traffic volumes; signals require specific volume thresholds. Despite limited busy times, overall traffic and crash patterns did not justify a signal. The J-turn is the most cost-effective solution to reduce right-angle crashes and minimize Hwy 23 delays.
Public concern: Some residents expressed speed as a safety concern, requesting alternative designs to reduce vehicle speeds.
- MnDOT response: We evaluated multiple options. Traffic lights and roundabouts would cause drastic speed changes, increasing accident risk. Hwy 23 is a high-speed corridor; redesigning it for lower speeds is costly and unjustified. MnDOT continues to evaluate traffic and safety conditions along the entire Hwy 23 corridor.
Public concern: The J-turn may be difficult for large vehicles (school buses, farm equipment, semi-trucks, firetrucks and emergency vehicles) to navigate safely, predictably and with adequate response time.
- MnDOT response: We will design the J-turn to safely accommodate all vehicle types, including large ones. We prioritize turning paths, radii and lane design. While J-turns can introduce a slight increase in travel time for side-street movements, this is outweighed by the substantial traffic safety benefits they provide. In addition, Minnesota law still requires drivers to pull over for emergency vehicles with lights and sirens activated, so any impact on emergency response times is expected to be smaller than the impact on general traffic.
Public concern: Will people using ATVs or bicycles be able to safely cross or navigate the intersection?
- MnDOT response: Our plan includes a paved, six-foot sidewalk for pedestrians to cross in the median. We are evaluating additional improvements for ATVs and bicycles. Final design will address multimodal needs within design and funding limits.
Public concern: The J-turn design may confuse drivers, particularly those unfamiliar with the area.
- MnDOT response: We recognize J-turns may be unfamiliar. Our design includes clear signs, pavement markings and lane design to guide drivers. Public education materials are available. J-turns in other locations have significantly reduced severe crashes.
Public concern: Can acceleration lanes be included to help vehicles safely merge with Hwy 23 traffic?
- MnDOT response: MnDOT has used acceleration lanes at other J-turn locations but found they don't significantly increase safety and aren't necessary at most locations. Based on traffic volumes here, they are not needed. We will continue to assess appropriate additions based on road function and space.
Public concern: How is entering the left turn lane of the J-turn safer than going through the existing median?
- MnDOT response: Using the existing median means you watch traffic from both directions, risking multi-angle collisions if you stop. A perpendicular vehicle in the median has a high risk of T-bone crashes, which cause the most severe injuries and fatalities. With a J-turn, you only focus on one direction of traffic for the initial right turn into the left turn lane. This less-perpendicular angle of impact results in fewer severe injuries. Once in the left turn lane, you then approach the U-turn and focus on traffic from the other direction to merge, eliminating median waiting. Vehicles still cross main lanes, but the natural angle is safer. More info: https://mndot.gov/roadwork/j-turns/.
Public concern: Will the J-turn be maintained adequately during winter, especially for snow and ice removal?
- MnDOT response: MnDOT prioritizes snow and ice removal at all intersections on state highways, including J-turns. Turn lanes and medians will accommodate safe plowing. Our maintenance teams will monitor Hwy 23 for winter safety. (Note: Stearns County maintains Co. Rd. 8.)
Public concern: The J-turn near Love’s Travel Stop feels unsafe, and people have described drivers turning in front of Hwy 23 traffic and driving the wrong way.
- MnDOT response: Wrong-way driving isn't unique to J-turns; it occurs on many divided highways, including at existing crossovers near Love's Travel Stop. MnDOT is aware of concerns near Love’s and has added safety measures (markings, signs). The proposed Co. Rd.8 J-turn will use best design practices, tailored to its specific traffic patterns, unlike the high-volume truck traffic near Love's.
Public concern: MnDOT should prioritize improvements at other locations, such as Co. Rd. 47, and show how the J-turn at Co. Rd.8 will affect traffic at other Hwy 23 intersections.
- MnDOT response: MnDOT selected Co. Rd. 8 for safety improvements based on crash history, traffic volumes and analysis. We continue to evaluate traffic and safety throughout the Hwy 23 corridor, monitoring intersections like Co. Rd. 47. Future improvements may be part of broader planning, including monitoring behavior changes after the Co. Rd. 8 J-turn installation.