Milaca hears MnDOT plan for Hwy 23: roundabouts, a 10-foot trail and access changes

Milaca held a public hearing on Nov. 25, 2024, to review the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s final layout for SP 4801-26 (Hwy 23). MnDOT officials described a plan that adds a 10-foot shared-use trail on the north side of the highway, several roundabouts and utility and lighting upgrades, with construction slated to begin in 2027 and continue through 2028.

Russell Fellbaum, project manager for the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), told the council the design adds a 10-foot shared-use trail along the north side of Hwy 23 and a roundabout at 3rd Avenue by the school. “With this project on the north side we will be adding the 10 foot shared use trail,” Fellbaum said, and he described the 3rd Avenue entrance as right-in, right-out only to control turning movements.

Fellbaum said the plan replaces the signal at Central Avenue with a mini roundabout designed to allow larger trucks to “drive over” the island when necessary, narrows travel lanes and shoulders through town to slow traffic, and converts the 3rd Street access to a cul-de-sac for two residences to preserve access. He also described additional roundabouts near the Kwik Trip and Hardee’s sites and altered ramp entries intended to slow traffic as it enters Milaca.

Some residents and business owners questioned the layout and asked MnDOT to reconsider signalization. Steve Hage, who identified himself as the owner of the car wash at 850 10th St. NE, urged keeping or installing a traffic signal at Central Avenue and suggested moving the proposed roundabout near County Road 2 to 110th, where he said traffic to the industrial park is heavier. “At Central Avenue ... we would like to have a signal light intersection as the best way to manage the traffic and flow at that intersection,” Hage said.

MnDOT engineers responded that federal funding and safety analyses informed the design. Chad Erickson of MnDOT said stoplights are not covered by federal safety funding in the way roundabouts are and that the tight geometry at Central Avenue would force left‑turning trucks to swing into right-turn lanes, creating hazards. “Stoplights are not considered safety devices and Federal funding does not cover stoplights because they don't make intersections safer,” Erickson said, and he added that roundabouts can reduce conflict points and long-term maintenance costs.

Responding to concerns about student crossings near the school, Fellbaum said the roundabout design should improve pedestrian flow and that MnDOT is coordinating with the school and city on adding rapid flashing beacons where needed. On signage, Erickson said the state will install official signs but that permanent business signage is likely a business expense.

Fellbaum gave a project schedule: design elements are currently scheduled for September 2026, with construction planned in 2027–2028. He said MnDOT expects detours but will preserve business access during work. The council did not record any formal vote to adopt the layout during the hearing; Mayor Dave Dillan closed the public hearing at 6:12 p.m.

Funding details for how local costs would be shared and how the city’s budget will cover any required city contributions were deferred to a city budget workshop, the mayor said. The meeting adjourned at 6:13 p.m. after a motion by Councilor Ken Muller and a second from Councilor Lindsee Larsen.