Construction of the Keats Avenue and 80th Street roundabout entered its next phase Saturday, Aug. 15, bringing changes to traffic patterns at the intersection as work on the Washington County infrastructure project continues.
The City of Cottage Grove announced that the west leg of the intersection would close to all traffic beginning Saturday as crews moved forward with the project. Meanwhile, drivers using the east leg of the intersection are being transitioned onto the newly constructed portion of the roundabout.
The new section of the roundabout will accommodate traffic traveling in both directions while construction continues elsewhere at the intersection.
The city advised motorists to plan ahead for the altered traffic pattern, allow additional travel time and remain alert while traveling through the construction zone. Drivers should also watch for construction workers, equipment, signs and temporary traffic controls as the project progresses.
The roundabout project is being carried out as a Washington County infrastructure project. The city directed residents and motorists to the county for the full construction schedule, official detour routes and continuing project updates.
A detour route heading north along Keats, west on 70th Street, and south on Jamaica Avenue South has been established to connect drivers with 80th Street South further west.
A roundabout photograph shared with the city's traffic update (see left) showed substantial progress on the project, including the circular center island and newly paved roadway along the east side of the intersection.
Roundabouts are designed to keep vehicles moving around a central island rather than relying on traditional stop signs or traffic signals and are considered safer, with fewer fatal collisions than traditional intersections. With the west leg of the intersection now closed at 80th and Keats, drivers approaching the construction area should follow posted detour signs and other traffic-control directions rather than relying on their usual routes through the intersection.
The city emphasized that the current changes are part of the next phase of construction rather than completion of the overall project. Additional work will continue as Washington County moves toward completing the intersection improvements.
Motorists who regularly travel through the Keats Avenue and 80th Street area are encouraged to check Washington County's project information for the latest construction schedule and detour information before traveling.
The county maintains a project page with construction updates and other information concerning the Keats Avenue and 80th Street improvements at https://www.washingtoncountymn.gov/3930/County-Highway-19-Keats-Avenue-and-80th-