Focus Drives Success
2024 & 2025 Coalition Priority Projects Overview
Priority Project 1:
4-Lane Extension SW of Willmar from Highway 71 to Kandiyohi County Road 5
This project has been added to the 2023 Highway 23 Coalition Priority Projects list. There is currently a 4-lane highway up to Highway 71, but not further west. The goal is to get the approximately 2.5 mile stretch of Highway 23 converted from 2-lane to 4-lane. The timing of this project is appropriate for a number of reasons including:
- 2.5 mile stretch already has the base in place
- No right of way would be needed
- The utilities have already been relocated
- Ramps on County 5 were completed in 2023 as part of MnDOT's regular program
Priority Project 2:
Preferred Route Study from Foley to I-35
There are 17 intersections within the Highway 23 Corridor that are above the critical crash rate according to data from the Street Light Program. Five of the 17 intersections are in the 40.3 miles from Foley to Mora. The Coalition also strives to support equity and inclusion, and provide access to safe roads across all of Minnesota. Four of the eight poorest counties in the state sit along this stretch of the Highway 23 Corridor.
Priority Project 3:
Preferred Route Study from Marshall to Granite Falls
This preferred route study focuses on the 28 mile stretch between Marshall and Granite Falls. The priority project will accomplish our goal of linking a 4-lane Highway 23 to Highway 212 in Granite Falls.
2023 Coalition Priority Projects Overview
Priority Project 1:
4-Lane Extension SW of Willmar from Highway 71 to Kandiyohi County Road 5
This project has been added to the 2023 Highway 23 Coalition Priority Projects list. There is currently a 4-lane highway up to Highway 71, but not further west. The goal is to get the approximately 2.5 mile stretch of Highway 23 converted from 2-lane to 4-lane. The timing of this project is appropriate for a number of reasons including:
- 2.5 mile stretch already has the base in place
- No right of way would be needed
- The utilities have already been relocated
- Ramps on County 5 are planned for 2023 as part of MnDOT's regular program
Priority Project 2:
Preferred Route Study from Foley to Mora
There are 17 intersections within the Highway 23 Corridor that are above the critical crash rate according to data from the Street Light Program. Five of the 17 intersections are in the 40.3 miles from Foley to Mora. The Coalition also strives to support equity and inclusion, and provide access to safe roads across all of Minnesota. Four of the eight poorest counties in the state sit along this stretch of the Highway 23 Corridor.
Priority Project 3:
Preferred Route Study from Marshall to Green Valley
This preferred route study focuses on the 4.5 mile stretch where 4-lane ends north of Marshall to where passing lanes exist north of Green Valley. The priority project will bring us one step closer to linking a 4-lane Highway 23 to Highway 212 in Granite Falls.
Priority Project 4:
J-Turn at Bel Clare Drive & Hwy. 23 in Waite Park
This priority project was selected for safety reasons, with it being adjacent to the intersection of I-94. J-turns, also known as reduce conflict intersections, increase safety and efficiency of a highway. With the use of a J-turn, traffic can go through these intersections while traffic keeps flowing freely on Highway 23.
Priority Project 5:
CSAH 9 Interchange Project to New London
This priority project was selected to provide additional support in promoting safety improvements to the intersection at Highway 9 and Highway 23 in New London. This improvement would not only improve the safety but also allow for the flow of traffic to be maintained. We have been listening to the large group of the public who have thoughts on this intersection and have attended to meetings to hear comments. We believe this project would meet their expectations and provide for the needed safety improvement.
2022 Priority Projects
The 2022 priority projects include:
2022 Ancillary Projects
The 2022 priority projects include:
