Highway 3

Possible future intersections

View concept images below. *Note all images and locations are approximate

160th St/Co. Rd. 46 to 190th St. existing

• Changes: No changes from current layout

160th St/Co. Rd. 46 to 190th St. concept 1

• Changes: The possible future intersections shown on the map are approximate and may be located at different locations (if they are constructed), following a more detailed analysis, based on safety, topogrophy, existing and/or future development.

 

209th St. intersections

View concept images below

209th St. existing

• Changes: No changes from current layout

209th St. concept 1

• Changes: 209th St. intersection becomes a ¾ access intersection (doesn't allow left turns). Southbound traffic will have to travel north to access southbound using the roundabout at Co. Rd. 66
• Benefits: Reduces the change for serious collisions for motorists traveling southbound from 209th St.

209th St. concept 2

• Changes: 209th St. intersection is a right in/right out only
• Benefits: Eliminates crashes from vehicles crossing all lanes of traffic at 209th St.

Public comments 

The public talked about problems finding gaps in traffic to turn left from 209th St. onto southbound Hwy 3. Several people suggested making 209th St. a right-turn-only intersection. This would eliminate the left turning movement onto southbound Hwy 3. Drivers wanting to travel south on Hwy 3 would need to drive north one block and make a U-turn at the Co. Rd. 66 roundabout.

Willow St. intersection

View concept images below

Willow St. existing

• Changes: No changes from current layout

Willow St. concept 1

• Changes: Add left turn lanes to Willow St. Close 8th St. and relocate Hwy 3 entrance to the lumberyard
• Benefits: Removes turning traffic from the through lanes on Highway 3. Make turns heading to the lumberyard easier. Adds room for vehicles entering the fast-food restaurant

Willow St. concept 2

• Changes: Changes the Willow St. intersection into a roundabout. Adds a longer turn lane into the fast-food restaurant. Closes 8th St. and moves the entrance to the lumberyard.

• Benefits: Slows traffic on Hwy 3 and reduces the possibility of serious crashes for motorists turning on and off or crossing Hwy 3

Public comments:

The public preferred Concept 2 that changed the intersection to a roundabout (it also added a turn lane to access the fast-food restaurant). This would make it easier to turn to and from Willow St. in all directions. They also liked Concept 1 that added left turn lanes from north and southbound Hwy 3. Either one gives options to improve traffic at this location that often backs up onto Hwy 3 because there are no separate turn lanes.

213th St. and Elm St. intersections

View concept images below

213th St. and Elm St. intersections existing

• Changes: No changes from current layout

213th St. and Elm St. intersections concept 1

• Changes: Add an elongated roundabout between 213th St and Elm St.
• Benefits: Slows traffic on Hwy 3 and provides safer turns to and from 213th St. and Elm St.

213th St. and Elm St. intersections concept 2

• Changes: Adds a roundabout at Elm St.
• Benefits: Safer traffic speeds on Hwy 3 and provides safer turns to and from Hwy 3 from both Elm St. and 213th St. This would be particularly effective if the crossover is closed at 213th St. and there is a roundabout at Willow St.

213th St. and Elm St. intersections concept 3

• Changes: Adds roundabouts at both Elm St. and 213th St.
• Benefits: Safer traffic speeds on Hwy 3. Also provides safer turns for traffic turning to and from Hwy 3 from both streets. It would take up less land than the elongated roundabout in Concept 1.

Public comments: 

Four concepts were shown at the public meeting. Public opinions were split between either leaving the intersections as they are now or adding a roundabout at Elm St. and making 213th St. a right-turn-only exit. The second concept only works if there is a roundabout added at Willow St.

Hickory St. and Ash St./220th St./Hwy 50 intersections

View concept images below

Hickory St. and Ash St./220th St./Hwy 50 existing

• Changes: No change from current layout

Hickory St. and Ash St./220th St./Hwy 50 concept 1

• Changes: Add new access to the mall and eliminate the crossing movement from Hickory St.
• Benefits: Simplify potentially hazardous mall entry at Hickory St.

Hickory St. and Ash St./220th St./Hwy 50 concept 2

• Changes: Convert the Ash St./220th St./Hwy 50 intersection to a roundabout, add new access to mall and change Hickory St. a right in/right out only access.
• Benefits: Slows traffic on Hwy 3 and improve safety for vehicles turning onto Hwy 3

Hickory St. and Ash St./220th St./Hwy 50 concept 3

• Changes: Convert the Ash St./220th St./Hwy 50 intersection to a roundabout, add new access to mall and cut off Hickory St. access to Hwy 3
• Benefits: Slows traffic on Hwy 3 and improves safety for vehicles making turns onto Hwy 3.

Public comments: 

The Hickory Street and Ash St./220th St./Hwy 50 intersections were combined because they both provided access to the Farmington Mall located on the east side of Hwy 3. Of the four concepts considered, the existing layout was liked by most people. The second choice was Concept 3, which converts the Hwy 3/Ash St.t/220th St. intersection into a roundabout. This would include closing the mall access across Hickory St., closing 8th St. below the old Hickory St. access, and moving the access from Hwy 50 further to the east of the current access.

190th St. to Co. Rd. 66/Vermillion River Trail

View concept images below

190th St. to Co. Rd 66 /Vermillion River Trail existing

• Changes: No change from current layout

190th St. to Co. Rd. 66 /Vermillion River Trail Concept 1

• Changes: Add a center turn lane from the 190th St. roundabout to 205th St.
• Benefits: Allows a safe place for motorists to wait for turns into homes with driveway access directly to Hwy 3.

190th St. to Co. Rd. 66/Vermillion River Trail Concept 2

• Changes: Add a backage road between 195th St. to 205th St.
• Benefits: Relocates access to driveways on the west side of Hwy 3 access from a separate street. This does away with turning in and out of driveways on the west side of the road.

Public comments: 

The people attending the Open House preferred the existing road layout. They didn’t like either other option. 

Hwy 3 cross-sections from Co. Rd. 66 to Ash St./220th St./Hwy 50

View concept images below

Hwy 3 typical existing

• Changes: No change from current layout

Hwy 3 typical option 1

• Changes: Reduce traffic to one lane in each direction by eliminating inside lane (with turn lanes where necessary)
• Benefits: Doesn’t impede with traffic flow due to the traffic levels on Hwy 3. Narrowing to one lane visually cues drivers to drive slower in the area and it creates a larger center area that can be used for landscaping or other amenities.

Hwy 3 typical option 2

• Changes: Reduce traffic to one lane in each direction and reducing the center median and increasing the buffer zone.
• Benefits: Narrowing to one lane visually cues drivers to drive slower in the area. Reducing the size of the center media provide less distance to cross to the other side of the road and opens up a buffer area that can  be used for landscaping or other amenities.

Public comments: 

The public generally preferred the road to remain a four-lane roadway through Farmington rather than reducing Highway 3 to two lanes.  

Next steps

Alternative concepts and desired access locations were developed to address the identified issues of vehicle speeds, traffic flow, safety and multi-modal (pedestrian and bicycle use). The selection of preferred concepts will occur later in the project development process. The County, City and MnDOT will take into consideration, among other things, insights included in this study, modal safety, feasibility, maintenance, community impact/livability, and cost. View final document with appendices (PDF).

Potential opportunities to be pursued: 

• To coincide with infrastructure improvements such as future Highway 3 pavement preservation projects
• With development that occurs around Highway 3, particularly in areas where new access may be requested that could align with desired locations
• As funding comes available, or that could be pursued by any of the agencies
• With changes in land use
• To address safety needs as conditions evolve

Coordination will continue between the City of Farmingon, City of Empire, Dakota County, MnDOT, landowners and developers as necessary to take advantage of these oppprtunites if and when they become available.