ST. PAUL, Minn. -
The fight to turn US Highway 14 to four lanes from Rochester to New Ulm has dragged on for decades.
The Highway 14 Coalition was in St. Paul again today, pushing for state funds to complete sections between Mankato and New Ulm, and Owatonna and Dodge Center.
At stake today, trying to get the remainder of the Highway 14 corridor converted into four lanes, hopefully getting appropriations directly from the state budget.
Patrick Baker, lobbyist for Greater Mankato Growth, says, "The big part of it is just trying to get senators making these decisions to understand the impact of the southern Minnesota region.
There's a lot of misunderstanding of what we contribute to the state's economy."
And the project received a warm reception, at least from senators in the areas affected.
Senator Vicki Jensen says, "What's been happening is although it's been on the priority list, things keep coming up and it keeps getting bumped down, further down the list."
Senator David Senjem says, "I personally know an individual in each one of these extensions that's not here today because of an auto fatality and it's been recognized as one of the most dangerous highways in Minnesota."
Testifying to the transportation committee today were business leaders from throughout the area, including a direct plea from Hy-Vee, even city leaders which already have a four-lane expansion on both sides of their community.
Waseca mayor Roy Srp says, "Never in my 20 years of public service have I seen a situation that connected more mayors, city councils, city managers, county commissioners, and folks up here. This is very, very, very important."
Senators in attendance at today's meeting commented frequently how they've seen the Highway 14 Coalition appear at the capitol time and time again, and even complimented the group on the seamless nature of their presentation. Of course, they have been working on it since the 1960s.
