ST. PAUL – In response to increased traffic congestion along Highway 65 in Blaine, State Representative Nolan West (R-Blaine) has sponsored legislation that would order the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to study traffic flow and safety improvements from County Highway 10 to Bunker Lake Blvd, including the 109th Avenue intersection.
“Not only can this stretch of highway be a nightmare for commuters but it’s also dangerous,” West said. “This is one of the busiest roads in town and safety here has to be our top priority.”
West’s bill requires MnDOT to evaluate options and costs for congestion improvements along the stretch of Highway 65 and report its findings to the Legislature. While the cost of the study has yet to be determined, any amount left over from that appropriation would be used for design and property acquisition for the reconstruction project that would result from the MnDOT report.
“The focus of the bill is to decrease congestion and make long overdue improvements to a very popular road, particularly at the intersection of 109th Ave,” West said.
West’s bill was recently passed by the Minnesota House Transportation and Regional Governance Policy Committee.