Officials: new roundabout and connector road will improve school access; road work expected in 2027

EVELETH — City officials updated residents on a transportation plan that includes a second roundabout and a new connector road intended to improve access to the school campus and create industrial lots for future businesses.

Mayor Adam Rowan described the project as a multi‑phase effort tied to regional highway work. He said the plan will create a new access point to the school so emergency vehicles — fire, ambulance and police — can reach the site more reliably during high‑traffic periods. “I know Keith when he says this, he understands how important it is… and he has assured us that 2027 we will see this road being built,” Rowan said.

The city showed concept layout: a second roundabout tied to Highway 53 and a connecting road to Highway 37 that would provide alternate access routes and carve out potential industrial parcels adjacent to Jackpine Park. Officials cautioned the schedule depends on contractor and state timelines; Rowan said the second roundabout construction is scheduled to begin in spring and the new road is currently forecast for 2027.

City staff said the conceptual lots for industrial development are contingent on the road being built and on bedrock and wetland constraints identified in consultant studies. Officials said they have engaged an engineer and consultant work is underway to identify buildable parcels and to coordinate with school safety planning.

What’s next: the city will continue coordination with state/contractor scheduling for the roundabout and pursue engineering work to define usable industrial lots; officials expect more definitive timeline updates as the spring construction season approaches.