Thousands of motorists will face a major detour this summer as the Highway 41 (Chestnut Street) and Highway 10 (Engler Boulevard) intersection closes June 16 to allow for construction of a new roundabout.
As work wraps up on the first of three roundabouts along Engler, this second and consequential phase is about to begin. Traffic counts at Chestnut and Engler hover near 20,000 vehicles per day, according to Carver County studies.
Crews are poised to open up the first completed roundabout at Bavaria Road and Engler this weekend (but as early as Friday, June 13). The recent wet weather could delay the opening a bit, however.
Once the Bavaria intersection opens to traffic, the closure and detour signs will be moved a few intersections to the east as work begins at Chestnut. According to the project’s tentative schedule, that major intersection will be closed for construction until late in the fall.
County Communications consultant Sara Renney said the 41/10 Project Team is working closely with the City of Chaska, Minnesota Department of Transportation, residents, businesses, schools, and other stakeholders to minimize the impact of the construction.
“We’re providing the public with a variety of tools and updates including neighborhood meetings, detour maps, business outreach, weekly email updates, social media posts, community event participation, construction mailers, and digital road signs to help people stay informed and plan ahead,” she said. “Our top priority remains safety, while also doing our best to reduce disruption for the community.”
Renney said she encourages local residents and other impacted by the 41/10 project to sign up for weekly email updates to stay abreast of the progress being made.
When the new Engler/Chestnut roundabout opens, Renney said the overall driving experience at the intersection will be vastly improved.
Among the expected motorist benefits?
- Increasing capacity, improving safety, and reducing travel times.
- Introducing a modern four-lane divided highway design with a center median and dedicated trail connections along Highway 10 (Engler Boulevard).
- Making local access safer and more efficient with redesigned street connections and access points.
According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, roundabouts in the state have helped reduce fatalities and serious injury crashes by about 80% at those intersections.
Another added amenity will be pedestrian underpasses near the intersection that will improve safety for walkers and bikers.
Phase three of the Engler plan (a new roundabout at Park Ridge Drive) will begin sometime between late summer or late fall and be completed by the spring of 2026.
