Highway 61 median closures planned in early June to improve safety in Red Wing
RED WING, Minn. – Maintenance crews will be closing and removing two median crossings on Highway 61 in early June in Red Wing between Bench Street and Tyler Road that have a history of serious, right-angle crashes, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Right‑turn access to the North and South Service Drives from Highway 61 as well as right turns from the service drives onto Highway 61 will remain open.
Both median intersections have a history of severe right-angle and left-turn crashes — two of the most dangerous crash types on high-speed highways. Closing the median removes the direct crossing and left-turn movements that lead to these crashes.
- Thirty-six crashes have been recorded at the median intersection east of Hedin Avenue in the past 10 years, and approximately 70% were right-angle or left-turn crashes.
- Red Wing Avenue has similar characteristics and also poses a risk for serious crashes.
Motorists can still reach businesses on both sides of Highway 61. You just won’t be able to make left turns between Bench Street and Tyler Road both from Highway 61 and onto Highway 61. To reach either side of the service drives via a left turn, motorists should travel to the intersections with traffic signals, Tyler Road and Bench Street, and use the service drive roads to reach your destination.
MnDOT has worked with the city of Red Wing and its police department on these closures.
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