Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Hwy 218 reconstruction

Blooming Prairie

Project layout summary

MnDOT is planning to reconstruct the Hwy 218 corridor through Blooming Prairie in 2025 and has developed a final design. A summary is provided below. The full project layout is also available for review.

Please provide any feedback or questions to the project management team through the comments tab.

Section 1

South of 100th Ave. to 4th St. SE

A section of the Hwy 218 design from 100th Ave to 4th St. SE
Proposed design of Hwy 218 from south of 100th Ave. to 4th St. SE
  • Reconstruct intersection so that it is no longer skewed to Hwy 218. This will improve a driver’s ability to see before crossing/entering Hwy 218
  • Construct new northbound Hwy 218 left turn lane to 100th Ave., also known as Co. Rd. 36
  • Construct new southbound Hwy 218 left and right turn lanes to 100th Ave., also known as Co. Rd. 36
  • Create a new drainage pond across from Blooming Prairie Ambulance building
  • Replace all existing driveways with new concrete driveways
  • Extend curb and gutter to the southern city limit
  • Remove one driveway access, indicated by an "x" on the project layout

Section 2

4th St. SE to Main St.

A section of the Hwy 218 design from 4th St. SE to Main St.
Proposed design of Hwy 218 from south of 100th Ave. to 4th St. SE
  • Replace the sidewalk on the west side of Hwy 218 with a shared-use path
    • Shared use paths are wider than a sidewalk. The extra width provides more room for pedestrians and bicyclists
  • Install new sidewalk along the east side of Hwy 218
  • Construct new ADA compliant curb ramps
  • Add an emergency vehicle entry system at 1st St. SE
  • Install Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) at 2nd St. SE and Main St.
  • Construct a new twin left-turn-lane in the center of Hwy 218
    • A bump out will also be constructed on the corner of 3rd St. SE. This will allow pedestrians and vehicles entering from 3rd St. SE the opportunity to get closer to the intersection and improve their ability to see/be seen
  • Narrow the driving lanes
    • Narrower driving lanes naturally signal to drivers to slow down. This should help address speeding concerns cited by the city and community members
  • Replace all existing driveways with new concrete driveway aprons
  • Remove four driveway accesses, indicated by an "x" on the project layout

Section 3

Main St. to 4th St. NE

A section of the Hwy 218 design from Main St. to 4th St. NE
Proposed design of Hwy 218 from Main St. to 4th St. NE
  • Replace the sidewalk on the west side of Hwy 218 with a shared-use path
    • Shared use paths are wider than a sidewalk. The extra width provides more room for pedestrians and bicyclists
  • Install Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) at 3rd St. NE
  • Construct a new twin left-turn-lane in the center of Hwy 218
    • This will allow for left turning vehicles to exit the lane of traffic while they wait to safely turn left
  • Narrow the driving lanes
    • Narrower driving lanes naturally signal to drivers to slow down
    • This should help address speeding concerns cited by the city and community members
  • Replace all existing driveways with new concrete driveway aprons
  • Install new lighting at Hwy 30/3rd St. NE

Section 4

4th St. NE to north of Hwy 30

A section of the Hwy 218 design from 100th Ave to 4th St. SE
Proposed design of Hwy 218 from 4th St. NE to Hwy 30
  • Install a new shared-use path on the west side of Hwy 218
  • Construct a new twin left-turn-lane for northbound Hwy 218 to westbound Hwy 30
    • This will allow for left turning vehicles to exit the lane of traffic while they wait to safely turn left
  • Install new lighting at Hwy 30, also known as Co. Rd. 16
  • Remove one driveway access, indicated by an "x" on the project layout