Project News
Hwy 23 ribbon cutting celebration set for Nov. 8 in Foley (Nov. 6, 2012)
Hwy 23 opens as four lanes on Friday, Nov. 2 (Nov. 2, 2012)
Access to Benton CR 4 (May 5, 2012) Via Hwy 25 and Glenn Street.
Highway 23 expansion project east of St. Cloud (March 12, 2012) Motorists traveling on Highway 23 will use a detour via Hwy 95 and Hwy 25
Hwy 25 road closure and detour in Foley week of Oct. 24 (Oct. 21, 2011) Crude oil pipeline repairs. Road closed just south of the Hwy 23/25 intersection to Norman Avenue. Detour via Hwy 23, CR 66 and CR 51 in Foley. Work to be complete by Oct. 28.
Hwy 25 utility work in Foley scheduled to begin Aug. 15 (Aug. 12, 2011) Detour via Hwy 23, 4th Ave N, Benton CR 43 and 85th St NE. Work to be complete late August.
Hwy 23 expansion project from east of St. Cloud to Foley begins July 27 (July 25, 2011) Expect periodic access/lane closures. Entire project to be complete by November 2012.
Hwy 23 project information meeting set for May 25 (May 11, 2011)
 Left to right: City of Foley Mayor Gary Gruba, Foley Area Chamber President Bruce Latterell and Chamber Board Member John HergesPhoto by Cal Puttbrese |
Ribbon Cutting Celebration
On Nov. 8, 2012, the public gathered for a Ribbon Cutting Celebration for the Hwy 23 four-lane expressway, which opened to traffic on Nov. 2, 2012. Representatives from the city of Foley, Foley Chamber of Commerce, Hoffman Construction Company and the Minnesota Department of Transportation briefly spoke about the project. Approximately 30 attended.
In August 2012, crews build-up the base for the future road. Photo by Jenny Seelen
Work Completed
Hwy 23 from Hwy 95 to Hwy 25:
- Constructed four lanes of new roadway, including turn lanes
- Constructed a westbound bridge over the Elk River (photo right)
- Realigned all intersecting roads, included: 65th Ave, Benton CR 25, 85th Ave /Benton CR 83, Benton CR 61, Benton CR 62, Benton CR 4
In the city of Foley:
- Upgraded the traffic signal and added turn lanes at the intersection of Hwy 23/Hwy 25
- Built a storm water pond just northeast of the intersection of Hwy23/Hwy 25
- Reconstructed the Glen/Sheridan frontage road in the Industrial Park
- Installed city curbs, gutters, storm/sanitary sewers, watermains and other utilities
- Resurfaced the two-lane segment of Hwy 23 from Hwy 25 to the east city limits
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Installed Settlement Monitoring System
Geotextile and fill are installed over a swampy section (Elk River bridge) of the future Hwy 23 four-lane, west of Foley. The area consists of organic (weak) materials reaching the depths in excess of 50 feet.
A Destination Innovation funded Settlement Monitoring System for $150,000, was installed in the embankment in 2011. The monitoring system consists of placed sensors within the embankment that generates a plot of settlement over time. This data allows for an accurate determination of the consolidation of materials, and a better assurance when the pavement surfacing materials can be placed.
This monitoring system will continue to measure future material movements near the bridge over the Elk River.
Background
Hwy 23 is a direct route between the regional centers of Willmar, St. Cloud and Duluth, and is classified as an Interregional Corridor (IRC). The existing highway was a heavily traveled rural two-lane roadway with a history of fatal and serious injury crashes.
In 2006, Highway 23 carried approximately 7,300 vehicles per day, with the number expected to grow to approximately 14,000 by year 2030.