For Immediate Release
February 28, 2020      
Contact: Shane Zahrt
PDF version

Below is a statement from Kevin Raney, vice president of the U.S. Highway 14 Partnership and a member of the Owatonna City Council, regarding the Highway 14 funding proposal announced today by Governor Tim Walz and MnDOT Commissioner Margaret Anderson Kelliher.

“We have been waiting over 60 years for Highway 14 expansion. This proposal would make a long-sought goal a reality: four lanes all the way from New Ulm to Rochester.

“With this proposal there is no excuse not to finish Highway 14 this year. All that stands in the way of completing Highway 14 is the Legislature’s approval. We need lawmakers to get it done so that no more lives are lost on this dangerous highway and so our local economies can grow and thrive.

“While there is still a lot of work to do, I want thank those who worked hard to get us to this point. Thank you to Governor Walz, MnDOT Commissioner Kelliher and our local legislators and elected officials. The staff of the MnDOT District 7 office deserve special praise for their tireless work over the years to ensure Highway 14 is as shovel-ready as possible. I also want to thank all the community members who have lent their voices to the fight – we could not have gotten this far without your dedication.”

The U.S. Highway 14 Partnership is an advocacy organization supporting the four-lane expansion of Highway 14. Formed in 1998, the Partnership includes local governments, private businesses and other organizations across Southern Minnesota. Follow the Partnership on online at ushighway14.com and on Twitter at @Hwy14Pshp.

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