By Rich Larson, KYMN News
Rice County’s long‑planned reconstruction of County Road 20 will now begin in 2028, following the approval of an updated county transportation plan earlier this month. The revised plan consolidates what had been two phases of construction into a single 6.3‑mile project—nearly double the length originally scheduled for the next round of improvements.
County staff say the change will ultimately reduce disruptions by eliminating an entire construction season. It will also provide time to complete a newly ordered countywide trails plan, a move prompted by public debate over the future of shared‑use paths along the corridor.
A trail for pedestrians and cyclists had been included on the west side of County Road 20, stretching from Highway 3 in Dundas to Faribault. That feature was removed after several residents raised concerns about both its cost and necessity. In response, the Rice County Board of Commissioners directed staff to develop a comprehensive trails plan before proceeding with any new trail construction.
The plan will outline countywide goals for trail development, identify priority connections, and evaluate potential routes. Last week, commissioners approved a contract with an engineering firm to help county staff prepare the document. County Engineer Dennis Luebbe expects the plan to be completed later this year.
According to the county’s 2026–35 Transportation Improvement Plan, the newly combined Phase 1 of the project will extend from just south of the Highway 3 intersection to County Road 29. Two additional phases—scheduled for 2031 and 2033—will finish reconstruction along the remaining stretch of the County Road 20 corridor.
While the shared‑use trail proposal has been paused for now, officials say the upcoming trails plan will guide future decisions, potentially shaping how multimodal transportation fits into the corridor in years to come.
Rich Larson is the owner and General Manager of KYMN Radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
