Highway 23 connects communities across Minnesota, and improving safety and mobility along the corridor remains a central focus of the Highway 23 Coalition.
Right now, the Coalition is placing focused attention on the 53 miles of Highway 23 between Foley and I-35. The Preferred Route Study from Foley to I-35 is one of the Coalition's 2026 priority projects and an important step in understanding what this section of the corridor needs.
Why Foley to I-35 Is a Highway 23 Coalition Priority
The Foley-to-I-35 section represents a significant stretch of Highway 23 with documented safety and mobility needs.
Over the past 10 years, Foley to I-35 has experienced 863 crashes, including:
- 37 fatal crashes
- 16 severe-injury crashes
- 10 pedestrian and bicycle crashes
Across the Highway 23 corridor, 17 intersections are above the critical crash rate, including five within the Foley-to-I-35 study area.
These numbers help show why Foley to I-35 has become a current priority for the Coalition. They also reinforce the need to look at the corridor as a whole and understand where different types of improvements may be needed.
Highway 23 Serves More Than Through Traffic
Highway 23 is more than a route between communities. It is a daily connection for the people, businesses and industries that rely on the corridor.
More than 11,000 people live within five miles of the 53-mile stretch of Highway 23 between Foley and I-35. The highway serves commuters traveling to work, families accessing services, businesses moving goods and people traveling throughout the region.
Highway 23 also serves students, families, school staff and community members traveling to and from schools and after-school activities. For communities such as Foley, Milaca, Ogilvie and Mora, the daily start and dismissal of the school day brings additional traffic and safety considerations for everyone using the road.
Agriculture is another important part of life along the corridor. During spring planting and fall harvest, local farmers and agricultural workers rely on Highway 23 and connecting roads to reach their fields and transport agricultural products to market. Farm equipment, trucks and other vehicles share the road with commuters and other travelers, making awareness and safe driving especially important during these busy seasons.
The corridor also supports major industries including healthcare, manufacturing, retail and agriculture. It carries freight and other materials while supporting tourism traffic traveling toward destinations such as Mille Lacs Lake and Duluth.
Understanding these connections, from school travel and seasonal farm traffic to regional commerce, is an important part of planning for the future of Highway 23 and the communities served by the corridor.
Understanding the Preferred Route Study
The Preferred Route Study from Foley to I-35 is intended to take a closer look at the safety and mobility needs along this 53-mile section of Highway 23.
The study can help identify priority needs, potential improvements and the planning work necessary to advance future projects. It is an important step in understanding what Foley to I-35 needs before future improvements can move forward.
The current anticipated timeline includes:
December 2026: Secure funding
June 2027 to June 2028: Corridor study
July 2028 to December 2029: Preliminary design and environmental work for priority projects
Future steps will depend on funding and the findings of the study.
A Highway 23 Priority With Work Ahead
Foley to I-35 is one part of the Highway 23 Coalition's broader work to improve safety, connectivity and economic opportunity across the corridor.
The Coalition's work starts with understanding where the needs are, identifying priorities and helping build the information needed to move projects forward.
For Foley to I-35, that means taking a closer look at a 53-mile section of Highway 23 and the people, businesses and communities that depend on it.
The goal is straightforward: understand Highway 23 today so communities and transportation partners can plan for a safer, more connected Highway 23 tomorrow.
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Follow the Highway 23 Coalition's latest work through Priority Projects and News & Events.
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