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<br /> <br />U S 1 0 & 1 6 5 th J -T u r n I m p r o v e m e n t s | E l k R i v e r B O L T O N & M E N K | 6 <br />TH 61 - River Oaks RCUT <br />City of Cottage Grove, Minnesota <br />As Cottage Grove experienced increased regional <br />traffic volumes, local residents and business owners <br />raised concerns regarding the challenges of crossing <br />the high-volume, high-speed four-lane expressway. <br />The proximity to a nearby school led to a significant <br />surge of vehicles during dismissal times, particularly <br />when accessing TH 61 from the southern leg of the <br />intersection. Improvements were necessary for the <br />configuration at TH 61 and Point Douglass Road. <br />Various alternatives were evaluated, including All- <br />Way Stop Control (AWSC), traffic signals, <br />roundabouts, and a Reduced Conflict U-Turn (RCUT) <br />with and without a ¾ left turn access. After <br />considering factors such as safety, traffic flow <br />maintenance, and cost-effective side street access, an <br />RCUT without a ¾ left turn was determined to be the <br />optimal solution. <br /> <br />Through an efficient design process, Bolton & Menk <br />and the City of Cottage Grove provided its residents <br />and business owners with an upgraded intersection. <br />The median was removed and replaced with J-turn <br />movements. These enhancements improved safety <br />by reducing intersecting points between different <br />traffic paths and improving visibility through better <br />lighting. All of this was accomplished while <br />maintaining, if not enhancing, the existing mobility <br />for interregional travel on TH 61 at the intersection of <br />Point Douglas Road. <br /> <br />Bolton & Menk designed multiple roadway <br />improvements across Minnesota, including the TH 53 <br />intersections and passing lanes project, TH 169/CR 28 <br />intersection improvements, and the TH 61 River Oaks <br />RCUT in Cottage Grove. These projects addressed <br />traffic safety issues, refined access needs, and <br />improved traffic flow and safety while <br />accommodating heavy truck traffic and industrial <br />development. Each solution was tailored to meet <br />specific regional needs and supported by project <br />partners. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Page 265 of 309