Minnesota recently opened a $108 million, 12.5-mile stretch of Highway 14 between Dodge Center and Owatonna.
The segment was widened to a four-lane freeway over two years.
Work also included shifting the south, seven bridges, and two interchanges with ramps providing access to Highway 14, Dodge County Road 3, and Highway 56.
In addition, 15 public roadway accesses, 32 driveways, and 20 field entrances were removed, and the roadway is now an access-controlled road.
“Every Minnesotan deserves safe, dependable roads that get them home to their families,” Gov. Tim Walz said. “And for too long, Highway 14 has not been safe. This long-awaited expansion of Highway 14 is the culmination of years of work and will help ensure Minnesotans get home safely while also improving the critical movement of freight and agricultural products that are vital to our state’s economy.”
The state Corridors of Commerce program funded the project.
Work on connecting roads is planned for next year.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development program awarded Minnesota a $22 million grant for the Highway 14: Nicollet to New Ulm Mobility and Safety Improvement Project.
The state also received a $15 million grant for the Highway 10 Rum River Bridge Replacement and Intersection Improvements project.