Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Hwy 76 resurfacing

Houston to Caledonia

Feedback opportunities

Spring 2026

Meeting informaiton

Slope repairs
Photo of roadside and guardrail with structurally reinforced soil slopes.
Example of a reinforced soil slope repair.

The topography of the Highway 76 project area has steep slopes that are prone to erosion. MnDOT is evaluating options to fix erosion, reduce maintenance and improve the resilience of the corridor.

Improvements include flattening steep slopes through grading and the use of structurally reinforced soil slopes.

Proposed detour

Regional traffic will be detoured to County Road 10 during construction. Access to homes and properties along Highway 76 will be maintained.

Construction activities will be completed in stages, and residents will be notified in advance when short-term closures are needed. One-way traffic with flaggers will be used as necessary to maintain access.

Provide your thoughts and comments about the proposed detour through a comment map. Any questions can be sent to the project management team through the comments tab.

Map of detour. Closed section in red. Detour marked in blue.
View full-sized image.

Summary

Thank you to everyone who participated in the in-person meeting on April 28th. We appreciate you taking the time to meet with the project team and your interest in this upcoming pavement preservation project. A summary of feedback received is available for review below:

  • Concerns about driveway and intersection sightline issues along Hwy 76. The project team will review locations for improvement opportunities within the scope of the project.
  • Discussions regarding limited shoulder width on Hwy 76 and instances of mailbox damage. The project team is planning shoulder widening from the proposed roundabout to the upcoming extension of North Warrior Avenue to Hwy 76.
  • Safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists using Hwy 76.

Fall 2025

Summary

During fall 2025, MnDOT asked community members to share their thoughts on the Highway 76 project. Some attended the Oct. 21, 2025 public meeting. Others participated through an on-line comment map. Thank you to everyone who participated. Your input helps us better understand local needs and shape both current and future planning for Highway 76.

Many people responded with valuable comments about safety, access, and travel conditions along the corridor. Although this project is primarily focused on preserving the existing roadway, the feedback helps our team understand local priorities and explore opportunities for targeted improvements now and in future planning. Below is a summary of the main themes we heard and how the project team is responding.

Community members noted several places along Highway 76 where it can be difficult to see or safely turn on or off the roadway. The project team is reviewing all locations identified by the public. While this preservation project does not include major reconstruction—such as regrading driveways or realigning intersections—we will look for smaller improvements that can help drivers at these locations.

Many comments focused on the narrow roadway, vehicles crossing the centerline, and lack of usable shoulder space. Straightening curves or upgrading shoulders would require major construction and is outside the scope and budget of this project. However, we are evaluating spots where shoulder widening may be possible within the existing terrain.

Several people shared concerns about the sharp right turn into Sunset Drive and the nearby culvert. As part of this project, the shoulder from Sunset Drive to the new Highway 76/44 roundabout will be widened and paved. This will improve walking and biking space and give drivers more room when making right turn movements. The culvert will also be evaluated to improve safety. We are coordinating with the City of Caledonia to explore additional pedestrian and bicycle connections in this area.

We heard strong interest in safer space for people walking or biking, especially near the State Park. While the current project focuses on pavement preservation, it does include a wider, paved shoulder from Sunset Drive to the new roundabout. We are also working with the City of Caledonia on options for future trail or sidewalk connections, including a possible trail extending west from the Warrior Avenue extension. These ideas are early and not part of the current project, but they will help inform future planning.

Community members raised concerns about drifting snow in open ridge areas along the corridor. The project team is evaluating locations where structural or living snow fence could help reduce drifting. This review includes field visits and tools developed by the University of Minnesota. Any snow fence improvements will depend on design feasibility, right of way needs, and available funding. A living snow fence is already planned near the new Highway 44/76 roundabout. We will also continue coordinating with MnDOT Maintenance on operational strategies to help manage drifting.

Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting and provided their input.

Those who missed the meeting are encouraged to review the open house materials. Send any questions or comments to the project management team.

To request a reasonable accommodation and/or an alternative format of web content, contact us at 1-833-400-8432, relay service 711, or email digital.accessibility.dot@state.mn.us.

If you need an ASL or foreign language interpreter, documents in an alternative format (such as braille, large print or in a different language), or CART services at no cost, please email your request to Janet Miller at ADArequest.dot@state.mn.us or call 651-366-4720. Relay service: 711. For information on disability rights and protections, contact the MnDOT ADA Title II Coordinator.