About the Project

The proposed project abandons Hwy 53 in the area of the United Taconite mine expansion and reconstructs it in a new location. Although the affected area is approximately one mile in length, relocation alternatives may be considerably longer.

Hwy 53 is a major transportation corridor in the region and serves as a critical link between the cities of Virginia and Eveleth. MnDOT was notified in 2010 that highway easement rights granted under a 1960 agreement with US Steel were being terminated to allow for mining on highway right of way. To compensate for the loss of easement rights, MnDOT is studying various alternatives, including constructing a new highway site or maintaining the roadway in its current location and compensating US Steel for the minerals adjacent to highway.

Project Benefits

• The project would address the termination of the highway easement rights by providing a roadway with similar safety and capacity benefits as the current Hwy 53.
• Relocating the highway would provide access to iron ore deposits and support United Taconite.

Risks and Key Issues

• Unknown funding sources/lack of funding
• Community impacts and municipal approval of new route
• Effect of new route on mining operations
• Possibility of future highway relocation
• Short, aggressive timeline for relocating the highway
• Mining industry economic volatility