Traffic Management Improvements on 48 Street NW and Nottingham Drive NW

September 29, 2025 - ROCHESTER, MINN. - The Rochester Public Works Department will begin construction on a traffic calming project in the Lincolnshire Neighborhood, specifically along 48th Street NW and Nottingham Drive NW, starting next week. These measures are designed to reduce vehicle speeds, improve pedestrian safety and enhance the overall livability of the neighborhood.

As part of this project, the following traffic calming features will be constructed:

• Curb extensions on both sides of Nottingham Drive NW, between 3699 and 2705 Nottingham Drive NW
• Curb extensions at the west leg of the intersection of Nottingham Drive NW / 48th Street NW / Common Place NW
• Curb extensions at all corners of the intersection of 48th Street NW and 35th Avenue NW
• A median on 48th Street NW, between 2330 and 2326 48th Street NW

Construction is scheduled to begin the week of October 6, with substantial completion expected by November 15. To ensure the work is completed efficiently and safely, the street will be closed to through traffic in areas of active construction. Sidewalks in those areas will also be closed. Access to all properties will be maintained.

Residents of the impacted area petitioned for the Lincolnshire Neighborhood to be considered for the City's Neighborhood Traffic Management Program. Concerns outlined in the petition include excessive speeding vehicles and aggressive driver behavior, high traffic volumes and concerns for pedestrian and cyclist safety. A 2022 traffic study conducted in the area confirmed the concerns raised by residents and the criteria outlined in the City's Neighborhood Traffic Management Program identified this corridor as the top priority for intervention.

Following a series of neighborhood meetings to discuss traffic concerns and potential solutions, the City implemented a pilot project in October 2023 to evaluate proposed traffic calming measures. This trial period provided an opportunity to assess the effectiveness of the features and gather additional community input. Feedback from residents during the pilot directly informed the final design, which is now moving forward into construction.

The Rochester City Council approved the construction contract on September 8. The total project cost is $168,582, funded through property tax levy funds as part of the City's 2024-2029 Capital Improvement Program.

The goal of the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program is to work closely with neighborhood residents to identify various traffic concerns, conduct appropriate studies to quantify any problems, develop criteria for prioritizing projects, and implement solutions to rectify safety concerns and lower traffic speeds. Traffic calming will improve the safety of all road users and create more pleasant neighborhoods for the residents of Rochester.