Project description

The Highway 23 Paynesville Bypass project extends 7.7 miles of divided highway from west of Kandiyohi County Road 6 to southwest to west of 263rd Avenue east of Paynesville in Stearns County. The three-year project began in mid-April, 2010, and is expected to be completed in 2012. The project includes grading, construction of eight bridges, surfacing and lighting.

 

 

Location

The Highway 23 project corridor is located in central Minnesota approximately 80 miles northwest of Minneapolis and approximately 20 miles southwest of the I- 94/Highway 23 interchange near St. Cloud and serves as a major connection between the area's residents and employment and service centers, as well as a key recreational and tourist access route.

 

 

Selected alternative

The alternative selected for construction is the one referred to in the project study as the West Alternative. This alternative departs from existing State Highway 23 near Kandiyohi CSAH 6 deviating toward the northeast, crossing Roseville Road and traveling along the south side of the Paynesville Municipal airport. It then turns to the north and travels between the airport and school continuing northward across State Highway 55 and then turning eastward again intersecting Lake Avenue North and Stearns County 33. It continues eastward where it rejoins the current alignment of State Highway 23.

 

 

Purpose, need and study

The Highway 23 Corridor Study completed in 1997 recommended a study of bypass alternatives to the existing corridor through the city of Paynesville. Various alternatives were developed prior to the selected bypass alternative.