ST. PETER — Hours before news of detour removals was posted on Minnesota Department of Transportation’s social media, Highway 169 motorists at a southside intersection in St. Peter were taking advantage of a shorter route to Kasota and Mankato’s hilltop.
The section of Highway 22 that reopened Monday is heavily used by commuting employees, people traveling to medical appointments and truckers hauling heavy loads that decrease their semis’ gas mileage.
“Everybody’s getting excited about trying out the new road and roundabout,” said Kelsey Long, director of marketing for Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery and Distillery in rural Kasota.
Highway 22 has been closed since April 11, with through traffic detoured to Highways 14 and 169. The two-year project will resume in the spring.
Long used the detour to get to work Monday morning. She estimated using Highway 22 on her return home to Mankato would save her five to 10 minutes driving time.
“And the highway is going to be much safer,” said Long, referring to the road project’s intersection changes.
Naomi Webster, of Le Sueur, will continue to use a narrow two-lane road off of Highway 99 to get to her driver relations job for Waletich Transportation, the trucking business on the east edge of Kasota and west of Highway 22.
“Rabbit Road has been very busy during the construction,” Webster said.
MnDOT’s work this year focused on the northern and southern ends of Highway 22 between Mankato and St. Peter and included:
• Construction of a new roundabout at Highway 22 and Hill Street near Kasota (Le Sueur County Road 21) to improve safety
• A channelized acceleration lane for motorists entering northbound Highway 22 from Blue Earth County Road 57, north of Mankato, to improve safety and traffic flow
• New turn and passing lanes for safety
• Bridge repair and replacement
• Improved lighting at intersections and snow fence.
2026 construction work will include:
• Reconstruction of the middle section of Highway 22 between Mankato and St. Peter
• Construction on the Rabbit Road bridge north of Kasota
• A walking and biking trail
MnDOT crews will continue wrap-up work over the winter, with limited traffic impacts.
“It’s great that Highway 22 has reopened in time for the holiday shopping season — it’s definitely a positive,” said River Hills General Manager Robin Hanson.
The Mankato mall’s shops and boutiques are “so ready” for the huge crowds of people seeking gifts for family and friends and decorations for their homes, Hanson said.
Ed Lee, St. Peter Chamber of Commerce’s executive director, gave a shout-out to the loyal customers who supported Chankaska and other businesses affected by the construction work and its related detour.
“They made a point of finding ways to get to their favorite places,” Lee said.