We believe focus drives success. A yearly list of priority projects holds special importance to the Highway 23 Coalition. This list has driven the success of many Highway 23 projects. Projects are selected based on necessity, budgeting and feasibility. Since Board Members live throughout the Highway 23 Corridor, Jake Bauerly writes about key reasons why he’s personally dedicated to the Preferred Route Study from Foley to Milaca.
Guest Blogger: Jake Bauerly, Highway 23 Coalition Board Member
Jake lives in Benton County and has formerly served as a Benton County Commissioner. Highway safety and economic vitality have been key priorities for Jake. He is passionate about creating a 4-lane Highway 23 corridor connecting the state of Minnesota.
Key Reasons for Preferred Route Study from Foley to Milaca
Increased Fatalities
Within a ten-mile stretch between Benton County Road 6 and Benton County Road 8, I know four people who were killed in separate accidents in my lifetime. One of them was my father when I was 14. My sister was to be married 3 days later. Therefore, I know first-hand how those deaths affect families.
Diverse Vehicle Classes
The diverse traffic makeup on the road between Foley and Mora make it challenging. From school buses and heavy trucks to cars and all kinds of farm equipment, the different traffic make this a prime candidate for a 4-lane road. In fact, Martin Marietta, one of the largest aggregate producing companies in the U.S. has a lease on a large piece of land five miles north of Ronneby on Benton County Road 6 for a future granite quarry.
At some point down the road on various topics of Highway 23 mention the load limits/restrictions. I assume with a larger road, can have a higher load limit.
Continued Road Improvements Planned & Proposed
Benton County has already received federal money to widen and build up Benton County Road 6 in anticipation of this future quarry. When their aggregate in Waite Park gets depleted, they will be switching to Benton County sources to replace it. It has the potential to reach over a million tons per year and significantly increase truck traffic.
Collaboration Between Two Congressional Districts
The Highway 23 from Foley to Mora route goes through two different congressional districts. This makes it a candidate for a cooperative effort for District 6 and 7 to work together to get Congressional-approved funding for this project.
Area in Need of An Economic Boost
This 34-mile stretch is also in 4 of the poorest counties in Minnesota in terms of tax capacity per capita in the state of Minnesota. Those counties being Benton, Mille Lacs, Kanabec and Pine. MnDOT has stated that new money spent in an area boosts economic activity by 10%. Knowing this fact, makes this route of Highway 23 an equity or fairness issue as well.
Room for 4-Lane Road Expansion
There is an old railroad bed running along this road that historically carried all the heavy loads.
Now that it is gone all the heavy loads travel by truck. This includes but not limited to, grain, aggregates, cement, asphalt and lumber. This old railroad bed would be some cheaper land for the right of way that would be needed for the four lanes.
Highway 23 Expansion Awareness
In an effort to expand awareness to the locals, Highway 23 Coalition’s 4 Lanes for You signage has been added just west of Milaca. There’s a long road in front of us for this Preferred Route Study, however, the Highway 23 Coalition is determined to make our 4-Lane Highway 23 Corridor from Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Duluth/Superior, Wisconsin.