This article from the Lakes Area Review was published December 31, 2022 by Staff Writer Ralph Dickerson.
Commissioners pen letter of support for Hwy. 23 interchange
The Kandiyohi County Board of Commissioners approved Resolution 2022-66 concerning the Hwy. 23 improvement project in New London during its meeting on Dec. 20. Kandiyohi County Public Works Director Mel Odens presented the resolution to the commissioners for approval.
Last year the Minnesota Department of Transportation revealed it planned to construct a J-Turn at the intersection of Hwy. 23 and Hwy. 9 to improve safety at this crossing, and the proposal received widespread opposition from the community.
The Minnesota Department of Transporation went back to the drawing board, and held a series of public hearings to gather public input from the community on what type of solution it wanted at this intersection.
At the board meeting on Dec. 20, the county issued a letter of support for the interchange option at the intersection. The top two choices of the community included the interchange option as well as the installation of a roundabout. Commissioner Rollie Nissen said the problem with a roundabout at this location is that it slowed down traffic too much.
"A Corridor of Commerce is designed to move traffic, not slow it down to the point where it is frustrating," Nissen said. "Roundabouts are safe, but this (an interchange) is going to keep the traffic moving as it was intended. I think it is the wisest way to preserve the Corridor of Commerce, yet safely get people across (the intersection)."
After approving the resolution picking an interchange as its preferred option at the Hwy. 23 and Hwy. 9 intersection, the board authorized Odens to submit the project to the Corridors of Commerce Program for funding.
View the complete article in the Lakes Area Review.
See more about the Highway 23 and Highway 9 intersection in New London on MnDOT's website here.