The final traffic signal on Highway 52 between Rochester and the Twin Cities is scheduled to be removed Monday, weather permitting, as a new traffic ramp and local access roads open in Cannon Falls, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The $14.3 million safety project at the interchange of Highway 52 and Goodhue County Road 24 has been under construction since July 2013 and is expected to be completed by October this year. Along with the new interchange, County Road 24 was realigned and new frontage roads were constructed. Two intersections with signals and four intersections without signals on Highway 52 were eliminated.

The two signaled intersections that are closing were the scenes of 124 crashes, including three serious injury crashes and one fatal crash from 2004-2013.

“This important safety project taking place in Cannon Falls is another improvement for motorists, reflecting MnDOT’s focus on safety, while enhancing an efficient and effective transportation system,” said Jeff Vlaminck, district engineer in Rochester for MnDOT’s District 6.

MnDOT worked with Goodhue County and the city of Cannon Falls on the project.

“The opening of the Highway 52 ramp and closing of the final traffic signal on the highway between Rochester and the Twin Cities marks another milestone for the work of many people in Goodhue County, the Highway 52 Partnership and other organizations to bring safer roads to the region,” said Greg Isakson, Goodhue County Engineer. “We will continue to work on further improvements to ensure safety as the traffic volumes grow and the region continues to see growth in population.”