A list of priority projects holds special importance to the Highway 23 Coalition. This list has driven the success of many Highway 23 projects. The North and South Gap projects, underway and soon to be completed, are two examples of our priority focus and demonstrate the mission of a 4-lane Highway 23 Corridor.
2023 Coalition Priority Projects Overview
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
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.
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.
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.