St. Paul, MN—State Representative Dave Baker, R-Willmar, issued the following statement today regarding news that safety improvements at the intersection of Highway 23 and Highway 9 in New London have been included in the latest round of grant funding through the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Corridors of Commerce program. Today’s announcement means that $33 million will be allocated to construct a grade separation at the intersection to address significant safety concerns impacting drivers.
“I am grateful to see that this critically important funding for Highway 23 safety improvements was included in the latest round of grants from the Corridors of Commerce program,” said Baker. “This is a project that Senator Lang and I have been working on for years after it became apparent how dangerous this intersection has become. We are now one step closer to a safe and fully functioning four-lane Highway 23 from Willmar to St. Cloud—one that is vital to supporting our growing communities in Kandiyohi County. Thank you to the hundreds of local residents and stakeholders that have been so instrumental in getting this across the finish line.”
The Corridors of Commerce program was created by the Minnesota Legislature in 2013 with the goal of focusing transportation investments on state highway projects that directly and indirectly foster economic growth for the state of Minnesota. More information about the Corridors of Commerce program – including past awards and recent applicants – can be found on MnDOT’s website.
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