Description: The project will construct a new north-south route on the east side of the City of Owatonna from near the US 218/18th Street SE intersection to CSAH 34 (26th Street NE). Traffic currently has no direct route for traveling between the northeast part and the southeast part of Owatonna. All existing highways and streets direct traffic towards the downtown area adding unnecessary traffic in the downtown area and increasing travel times. In 1999-2000, Steele County and the City of Owatonna recorded an Official Map of a future north-south road from 26th Street to US 14, calling it the East Side Corridor. In 2005, the County recorded an Official Map of the Owatonna Beltline, consisting in part CSAH 43 to the east. While CSAH 43 will have connections to US 14, is part of the Owatonna Beltline, and will provide a north-south connection for future growth, it does not provide benefits for current needs of traffic on the east side of the City, especially with the relocation of the high school near the intersection of CSAH 48 and 18th Street SE. This proposed route will provide those needed connections and alleviate downtown traffic.
Project Schedule (updated January 2025):
2022-2025 Environmental Study and Preliminary Design in progress (anticipated completion Fall 2025)
2025-2026 Final Design & right of way acquisition
2026-2027 Construction in stages
Public Information Meetings:
Public Information Meeting #1 was held July 21st, 2022 (reviewed previous project studies and alignments)
Public Information Meeting #2 was held May 31, 2023 (presented preferred alternative)
Public Information Meeting #3 anticipated Spring 2025 (will present environmental documents and collect public comment)
East Side Corridor – Public Comment Period & Open House
The official public comment period for the East Side Corridor Project is now open. Community members are invited to review the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) and share feedback through December 31.
Please join us for an open house to learn more about the project and submit your public comment in person:
- Date: Thursday, December 11
- Time: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
- Location: Council Chambers, Owatonna City Hall, 540 West Hills Circle, Owatonna, MN 55060
You can also submit your comment online until December 31.
For questions or assistance with the comment process, please email Info@eastsidecorridor.com.
Public Comments open from November 18 to December 31, 2025
Posted November 18, 2025
The official public comment period for the East Side Corridor Study is now open!
From November 18 to December 31, you can review the
Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) and submit your comments on the document here (link).
This is an important step in the environmental review process that helps inform project decisions. We encourage you to participate in this important process.
Additional public information meetings are planned in the future during the final design process. Watch here for updates or sign up for our email updates above.
More information:
Additional information about the project can be found at the project webpage at www.eastsidecorridor.com
Map of Corridor Map showing the general location of preferred corridor selected in May 2023 and then reselected again in October 2024. Actual alignment or corridor location subject to change, pending results of an updated Environmental Study and preliminary design in progress.
Official Map Official Map approved by the County Board and recorded in 2000 designating an alignment for the corridor. Actual alignment or corridor subject to change, pending results of an updated Environmental Study and preliminary design in progress.
Description: The project will reconstruct the intersection to improve safety. The skewed and closely spaced intersections of four county highways and a township road, along with close proximity to a railroad crossing, along with high speeds and poor sight lines, contributes to the intersection having one of the highest crash rates in the county. Several realignment concepts are being considered to improve the intersection. A feasibility study is in progress.
Construction Dates: 2026
More information:
The following feasibility study report is available for more information:
DRAFT Feasibility Study of CSAH 2/CR 180, CSAH 43, and CR 171 Intersection Improvements - Part 1
DRAFT Feasibility Study of CSAH 2/CR 180, CSAH 43, and CR 171 Intersection Improvements - Part 2
DRAFT Feasibility Study of CSAH 2/CR 180, CSAH 43, and CR 171 Intersection Improvements - Part 3
DRAFT Feasibility Study of CSAH 2/CR 180, CSAH 43, and CR 171 Intersection Improvements - Part 4
Public Open House Meeting No. 2 was held January 30, 2025 to present the project's preferred alternative and receive public input.
Open House No. 2 slide presentation
Conceptual Layout - Preferred Alternative
Public Information Open House Meeting No. 1 was held October 10, 2024 and introduce the project and gathered public input.
Click here to read the Open House No. 1 newsletter.
Below are links to four concepts presented at Open House No. 1:
Conceptual Layout 1 Roundabout
Conceptual Layout 2 Minor CSAH 2/CR 180 Realignment
Conceptual Layout 3 Moderate CSAH 2/CR 180 Realignment
Conceptual Layout 4 Major CSAH 2/CR 180 Realignment
Aerial photo of the project location showing CSAH 2, CSAH 43, CR 171, CR 180, SE 18th St, and the CPKC railroad intersecting all in close proximity.
Description: This is a joint project with the Parks Department. The first phase of the project scheduled for 2025 includes the following: The proposed plans will improve traffic and pedestrian safety, improve drainage, and restore the pavement condition. A pedestrian/bicycle trail will be constructed from South Beaver Lake Rd to North Beaver Lake Rd. The roadway will be reconstructed on a new alignment around Beaver Lake Park. Improvements to Beaver Lake Park include relocating the boat landing, providing improved parking, and more beach area.
A second phase of the project is unscheduled but would include additional park improvements.
Construction Dates: First Phase 2025 - 2026 Second Phase Unscheduled
More information:
A Public Information Meeting was held on August 19, 2024
Preliminary Plans presented at the Public Information Meeting:
Phase I Preliminary Project Layout
Another Public Information Meeting will be held later in 2024 or early 2025 to present final plans and construction staging.
Previous Public information meetings were held in September 2021 and February 2022 to gather input on the now completed feasibility report. A Feasibility Report is published with more information: Final Feasibility Report
Public Comment Period and Open House Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW)
The official public comment period for the CSAH 28 and Beaver Lake Park Improvements closed on April 2, 2026.
Description: Steele County together with the City of Owatonna conducted a feasibility study along Main Street from Oak Avenue to Chambers Avenue. A feasibility study looks at the existing conditions of a roadway and determines the best way to improve it. This study included a thorough review of the corridor's pavement conditions; identification of opportunities of walking, biking, and rolling; and a traffic analysis of the entire study corridor.
Construction Dates: To be determined
More information: Public information meetings were held in February 2022 and August 2022 to gather feedback on the existing conditions.
For more information about the project, or if you were unable to make the open house, check out the following webpage:
www.bit.ly/OwatonnaMainStreetStudy .
For details, check out the final feasibility Study Report:
Final Feasibility Study Report
Steele County Board of Commissioners approved on September 8, 2025 the Concept plan for the Main Street project.
Description: The Steele County Highway Department, in partnership with the City of Owatonna, are completing plans for addressing a structurally deficient box culvert on County Road (CR) 180 and a Canadian Pacific Kanas City Railway bridge with low roadway clearances on CR 180.
Construction Dates: To be determined
More information: A public information meeting was held in April 2022. Additional public information meetings will be held as the project planning progresses.