Balcerzak Drive Corridor Study

The Mankato/North Mankato Area Planning Organization (MAPO) is launching a comprehensive study of Balcerzak Drive aimed at transforming the corridor to be safer, more efficient, and more accessible. This study will use MAPO’s corridor planning process, leveraging previous evaluations, stakeholder input, and public engagement. The outcome will create a guiding vision for the future, ensuring Balcerzak Drive meets the diverse needs of motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users while aligning transportation goals. The study is expected to be completed in December 2025.

Considering that the City of Mankato is a primary MAPO partner, City resources such as Every Voice Mankato are shared to engage the public and achieve the best outcomes possible.

Study Focus:

Address current transportation challenges
Enhance multimodal connectivity
Plan for future growth and development

What will the study include?

Comprehensive Analysis: An in-depth review of existing conditions, such as traffic patterns, safety concerns, and the current state of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.
Alternatives Development: Exploration and evaluation of various improvement scenarios, including changes to lane configurations, intersection controls, and access management.

Multimodal Enhancements: Recommendations for improving pedestrian and bicycle facilities, ensuring safe and convenient access for all users.

Transit Improvements: Assessment and enhancement of transit stops and services along the corridor to better serve the community.

Implementation Plan: A prioritized list of projects with potential funding sources, guiding the transition from planning to execution.

Policy Alignment: Ensuring that the recommendations align with local, state, and federal policies and plans, including the integration with the City's broader transportation and land use strategies.

Get involved:

There are multiple opportunities for you to provide input on the future of Balcerzak Drive.

Take the survey
Attend an Open House
Attend a Pop Up event (Watch for updates of where we are popping up next!)

Balcerzak Drive Background

Balcerzak Drive is one of four east-west minor arterials* serving the Mankato Hilltop area. It connects other significant minor arterials, including Warren Street and Victory Drive/Highway 82. Currently, Balcerzak Drive operates as a four-lane undivided corridor with a daily traffic volume of approximately 8,100-8,700 vehicles and a posted speed limit of 40 mph.

There are also multiple transit routes in the area:

Routes 1, 8, 14, between Warren Street and Monks Avenue
Routes 10, 11, between Monks Avenue and Victory Drive

The corridor has undergone incremental changes over time, such as lane narrowing at both the Warren Street and Victory Drive intersections. Additionally, the Balcerzak/Pohl Road intersection was studied in 2016. A roundabout was recommended at that time as a potential improvement.

*Arterial - A major road designed to carry high volumes of traffic, connecting different areas of a city or region, often with multiple lanes and intersections with signals.

What is MAPO?

The Mankato/North Mankato Area Planning Organization (MAPO) is responsible for regional transportation planning throughout the Greater Mankato area. This includes pedestrian, bicycle, transit, auto, rail, and air transportation. The organization was established in 2012 following the 2010 Census that designated the region as an urbanized area, requiring the formation of such a planning organization.

MAPO continually produces a wide range of studies, plans, and recommendations to improve transportation throughout the area. The organization is located at the Intergovernmental Center, 10 Civic Center Plaza, Mankato and is staffed by executive director Mark Konz and transportation planner Chris Talamantez.

Which government entities are included in MAPO?

Cities	Counties	Townships
Mankato North Mankato Eagle Lake Skyline	Blue Earth Nicollet	Belgrade LeRay Mankato Township South Bend