Link Construction Continues

June 1, 2026 – ROCHESTER, MN. – Construction activity on the Link Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project continues to increase as Rochester moves deeper into the 2026 construction season. Crews have been busy this spring making visible progress along the corridor, continuing last year’s momentum‑ and helping keep the project on pace for its first fare-free Link rides in Fall 2027. With work now past the early-season ramp‑up, residents, Rochester area workers and visitors will see construction expand to new areas of the corridor as the project reaches important midyear milestones.

Construction will continue in phases this summer, bringing lane shifts, traffic pattern changes and occasional full closures. Link construction timelines are coordinated with other downtown projects to help reduce disruptions where possible.

Beginning on June 8, the intersection of 14th Avenue SW and 2nd Street SW will be closed for two weeks.

Public access to Mayo Clinic Hospital – Rochester, Saint Marys Campus’s Mary Brigh entrance and the Emergency Department will be from the south. In an effort to facilitate access, 14th Avenue SW will temporarily operate as a one-way northbound route during peak morning hours from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. with two northbound lanes. Exiting traffic will use Peace Garden Drive to leave the area. Traffic control officers and flaggers will be in place on 2nd Street SW at 14th Avenue SW and 6th Street SW at 14th Avenue SW and 15th Avenue SW during the peak morning hours.

In an effort to accelerate progress on the necessary sanitary sewer and utility work and minimize the overall disruption of this impact, crews will be working around the clock from 5 p.m. on June 12 through 5 a.m. on June 15. 

Drivers are encouraged to plan additional travel time to reach their destination as delays are expected in the vicinity of this closure. For more information on traveling downtown please visit: www.downtownrochesterconstruction.org.