Overview
Hwy 14 is a 4-lane highway from Mankato to Rochester, except the section of Hwy 14 from Interstate 35 to Highway 56. The proposed Hwy 14 improvement project will include reconstruction and capacity expansion as a rural 4-lane divided freeway. The proposed alignment is south of existing Hwy 14, paralleling the railroad corridor. Local system access will be provided with overpasses and interchanges. Total project corridor length is approximately 18 miles.
Location
- 1/2 miles East of I-35 to 1.75 miles West of Dodge Center
Schedule
- 2012 - Complete and Adopt Right of Way Mapping
- Final Design/Right of Way Acquisition/Construction – Dependent Upon Funding Availability
Cost
- $TBD
Traffic impacts
No traffic impact at this time as construction is dependent upon funding.
Benefits
- Maintain Highway Mobility: The preferred alternative provides the most efficient travel through the study area by providing a limited access high-speed route and because the distance of the corridor is shorter than other alternatives considered. Also, it provides a better long-term solution for local operational issues because the existing highway alignment has the ability to serve as a parallel route for local and agricultural related traffic, therefore eliminating the need to upgrade other existing roads to serve these needs.
- Improves Travel Safety: The preferred alternative improves travel safety through the construction of a four-lane freeway section that remains south of the railroad corridor, which eliminates several existing public and private at-grade railroad crossings.
- Enhances System Continuity: The preferred alternative is consistent with the design of Highway 14 both east and west of the study area as it will be a four-lane freeway section that will remain south of the railroad corridor.
- Fosters Economic Development: The preferred alternative avoids dividing Claremont and provides them with desirable future land development opportunities.
EIS Schedule