J-turn at Hwy 99/169 intersection in St. Peter opens to traffic Sept. 28

Hwy 22 south of St. Peter expected to open mid-October

MANKATO, Minn. – Construction of the new J-turn at the intersection of Highway 99/169 at the south end of St. Peter is nearing completion and expected to open to traffic Thursday evening, Sept. 28, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Highway 22 south of St. Peter remains closed to traffic until the completion of the project in mid-October. Traffic is detoured to Highway 99, Le Sueur County Road 21 (Golf Course Road), and Shanaska Creek Road.

Additionally, Highway 169 traffic at the south end of St. Peter will be reduced to one lane in each direction starting Thursday until mid-October.
Studies show a 70 percent reduction in fatalities and a 42 percent reduction in injury crashes where J-turns are used. More information on driving J-turns and can be found at https://www.dot.state.mn.us/roadwork/rci/.

Project summary and traffic impacts

The intersection improvement projects in St. Peter include adding a second left turn lane on southbound Highway 169 at the intersection with Highway 22 to create a dual turn lane, and the construction of the J-turn at the intersection of Highway 99/169.

A temporary traffic signal remains at the intersection of Highway 169 and Elm Street to aid in traffic and pedestrian movements during construction. There are right turns only at Minnesota Avenue, Pine Street, Jefferson Avenue, Wabasha Street and Washington Avenue. Access to Highway 169 from Wabasha Street will be permanently closed as part of this project.

Access to St. Peter Riverside Park located on Highway 22 south of St. Peter is closed to motorists during construction. Visitors are encouraged to access the park via the walking trail.

Project benefits and costs

Benefits of the project include improved pavement, intersection safety, and traffic flow on the south side of St. Peter. Mathiowetz Construction was awarded the project with a bid of $8,124,440.87.

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