An updated county transportation plan approved earlier this month combines two phases of the proposed County Road 20 reconstruction project, pushing the work out until 2028.
Although the project will be larger – 6.3 miles instead of 3.75 – it means one less construction season. Moving the work back a year also gives county staff time to complete a countywide trails plan.
The project had included a new shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists along the west side of the road from Hwy. 3 in Dundas to Faribault. That was removed after a number of area residents spoke out about the necessity and cost of the trail portion of the project, leading the Rice County Board of Commissioners to request a countywide trails plan completed.
The plan would set goals and objectives for future trail projects, consider connections and identify and prioritize potential routes.
Last week, the board approved a contract with an engineering firm to assist staff with developing a trails plan. County Engineer Dennis Luebbe estimated it would be complete later this year.
According to the 2026-35 Transportation Improvement Plan, Phase 1 of project will now run from just south of the road’s intersection with Hwy. 3 to County Road 29. Two additional phases are planned for 2031 and 2033 which would complete the reconstruction of the highway corridor.
* *
Sign up to receive notifications about the project as it progresses at www.ricecountymn.gov/list.aspx and select County Road 20 project notifications in the Notify Me section. Notifications can be sent via email or text.
