We've written before about how many Southern Minnesotans consider Highway 14 to be one of the state's most dangerous roads. Tomorrow, Rep. Walz and House Transportation chair Jim Obeerstar will meet with mayors of cities on the highway's corridor, according to the City of Mankato's website:
The mayors from Owatonna, New Ulm and North Mankato and the city manager from Mankato will meet with Rep. Tim Walz and Rep. Jim Oberstar in Rochester Friday to discuss U.S. Highway 14 funding needs.
The cities are all members of the Highway 14 Partnership, an organization that advocates for the completion of Highway 14 from Rochester to New Ulm. The four-lane upgrade of Highway 14 from Rochester to New Ulm has been in process for four decades. Highway 14 is often referred to as the most dangerous highway in greater Minnesota.
Oberstar is chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Walz is a member of that committee. Both members will be instrumental in assembling the next transportation reauthorization bill in 2009.
In the meeting, members of the Highway 14 Partnership will point to the high fatality rates on the highway’s two-lane segments and will also outline the road’s importance to economic development efforts in southern Minnesota.
“Congressman Walz has stated that Highway 14 is a top priority,” Owatonna Mayor Tom Kuntz said. “The partnership sees the transportation reauthorization bill as an opportunity to finally get some real funding to Highway 14. It is time to complete the upgrade of this dangerous highway for the citizens of southern Minnesota.”
The 2008 transportation appropriations bill currently includes funding for the segments from Waseca to Owatonna, North Mankato to New Ulm and the 14/12 interchange in Blue Earth County. The final version of this bill is expected to pass sometime this fall.
We certainly hope so. Too many people have died on the road.
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