Knowledge Base

November 2, 2026 – ROCHESTER, MINN. – The Public Works Department is seeking feedback from residents living in the vicinity of 9th Avenue SE on the traffic issues and concerns in their neighborhood. Teammates will meet with neighbors on Tuesday, November 17 from 6:45 to 8 p.m. at Ben Franklin Elementary School (1801 9th Avenue SE). This an open house event with no set presentation time.  

City of Rochester staff will present several potential traffic-calming measures for various locations along 9th Avenue SE between 16th Street SE and 20th Street SE. The proposed options were developed using feedback and input gathered from residents during the first open house and subsequent project analysis. Residents will have the opportunity to review the concepts and provide additional feedback. The traffic-calming measures most favored by residents will be prioritized for construction to help address ongoing traffic concerns along the corridor. 

More information is available on the project website.  

Residents of the impacted area petitioned for 9th Avenue SE from 16th Street SE to 20th Street SE to be considered for the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program. Concerns outlined in the petition include excessive speeding vehicles and concerns for pedestrian and cyclist safety. A 2024 traffic study confirmed many vehicles exceed the speed limit in the residential neighborhood. 

The goal of the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program is to work closely with neighborhood residents in order to identify various traffic concerns, conduct appropriate studies to quantify any problems, develop criteria for prioritizing projects, and implement solutions in order 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. 

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This story is also on the City website.