- On July 6, 2026, the Hastings City Council received an update from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDoT) on the Highway 61 improvement project, which has entered the final design phase ahead of construction. The estimated $41 million project is intended to improve safety, traffic flow, and aging infrastructure through changes including new traffic signals, roundabouts, and updated access points.
- On July 14, 2026, MnDoT and the City of Hastings hosted a public meeting at Hastings High School to share project details and gather community feedback. View the public meeting video.
- On August 4, 2026, MnDoT had a table at Lions Park for National Night Out to chat with community members on the project and show design concepts.
Highway 61 Project
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the City of Hastings are teaming up to improve Highway 61 from 4th Street to 36th Street.
The initial study analyzed all modes of travel like cars, bikes, walkers, and heavy vehicles. Our shared goal is for this corridor to work efficiently and be safe for all.
MnDOT Highway 61 Hastings Project webpage
Summary of work
- Reconstruct Hwy 61 from just north of 3rd St. to south of 36th St. with concrete pavement from north of 3rd St. to the new roundabout at Hwy 316
- Replace the Todd Field wall along Hwy 61
- Construct new full-size roundabouts at Hwy 316 and 36th St.
- Construct new 6-foot concrete sidewalks and pedestrian ramps along both sides of Hwy 61
- Add 8-foot trail along Hwy 61 from Hwy 316 to 36th St.
- Add a traffic signal at the intersection at Hwy 61 and 18th St.
- Accessibility improvements
- Update drainage
- Utility upgrades
Benefits
- Improve safety
- Improve traffic flow and reduce congestion
- Improve accessibility for the community and businesses
- Protect Todd Field from highway traffic
- Improve intersections
- Provide a smooth road surface
- Update drainage and city utility infrastructure
Stay Informed
Want to get the latest news about the Highway 61 project?
Sign up for Highway 61 email updates
The Project So Far
- On April 21, 2025, MnDoT’s South Area Manager, Bryant Ficek, gave an update to City Council.
- On February 21, 2023, discussed the first designs and invited everyone to an Open House on March 7 at City Hall.
- On June 5, 2023, shared new ideas for Highway 61 after hearing from people in the community.
- View the Highway 61 June 5, 2025 Council Memo
- View the June 5, 2023 Presentation to Council - begins at 37-minute mark
- On July 5, 2022, shared what was found in the first portion of the study.
- On August 24, 2022, MnDoT and the City of Hastings held an open house to show some early concepts.
Sign up to our News and Notices
Stay up to date on the city's activities, events, programs and operations by subscribing to our news, notices and publications.