Rochester Reopens Closed Sections of 2nd Street SW

Phased reopenings of 2nd Street SW come as the Link Bus Rapid Transit project reaches about 67% construction completion.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a straight roadway with a reopened lane bordered by orange barrier blocks, evoking a city street returning to traffic during construction. — Rochester is phase-reopening closed sections of 2nd Street SW to vehicle traffic on Nov. 23 and Dec. 6 as the Link Bus Rapid Transit project nears 67% completion. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The City of Rochester is reopening closed sections of 2nd Street SW to vehicle traffic in phases during the weeks of Nov. 23 and Dec. 6. The reopenings come as crews continue work on the Link Bus Rapid Transit project.

Why it matters

The phased reopenings restore vehicle access to a 2.8-mile corridor that has been disrupted by construction. Progress on Link, which is about 67% complete, is tied to the timing of the lane changes along the route.

Link Bus Rapid Transit construction is approximately 67% complete, according to city reporting. The reopened Highway 52 bridge section returns to two lanes in each direction, while other reopened segments operate with one lane in each direction.

The players

City of Rochester

Rochester is the largest city in southeastern Minnesota and the seat of Olmsted County, and its city government manages the road closures and reopenings along 2nd Street SW.

The details

Closed sections of 2nd Street SW between West Circle Drive and 7th Avenue SW are reopening to vehicle traffic, with continuous travel now available from West Circle Drive to 3rd Avenue SE. Pedestrian access will largely open along 2nd Street, though small detours remain between 3rd Avenue SW and Broadway through the winter.

Week of Nov. 23, 2026: 2nd Street SW on the Highway 52 bridge returns to two lanes in each direction.
Week of Dec. 6, 2026: 2nd Street between 4th and 6th Avenues SW opens one lane in each direction.
Winter 2026-27: Small pedestrian detours remain between 3rd Avenue SW and Broadway.
August 2027: Link Bus Rapid Transit is expected to launch.

Roadmap

The phased reopening of 2nd Street SW is a milestone in the Link Bus Rapid Transit project, which is about 67% complete and expected to launch in August 2027. The lane restorations follow the construction sequence set for the corridor rather than marking a separate traffic policy change.

Drivers can again use 2nd Street SW across the Highway 52 bridge and between 4th and 6th Avenues SW as lanes reopen in late November and early December. Pedestrians should still plan for small detours between 3rd Avenue SW and Broadway through the winter.

The takeaway

Plan drives along 2nd Street SW around the phased lane reopenings in late November and early December. Check city construction updates before heading out, especially if you walk through the Broadway area this winter.

What happens next

Closed sections of 2nd Street SW are set to reopen in phases during the weeks of Nov. 23 and Dec. 6, 2026, with Link Bus Rapid Transit expected to launch in August 2027.