7 Important Dates In Hwy 14 Expansion from Owatonna to Dodge Center
Traffic is now flowing on the new stretch of Highway 14 between Dodge Center and Owatonna. The four-lane, divided roadway opened to traffic Tuesday, November 9. That same day a ribbon cutting and grand opening event was held to commemorate the completion of a project whose origins date back about 25 years.
Tuesday might have also marked the first speeding ticket on the fresh concrete. A Townsquare Media sales account executive was cruising along at the posted speed when a car zipped by him, followed shortly by a Dodge County Sheriff's vehicle, lights ablaze.
SEVEN SIGNIFICANT DATES IN DEVELOPMENT OF HIGHWAY 14 EXPANSION
1993
A news release from the office of State Senator John Jasinski (R-Faribault) states the first Environmental Impact Study was completed then. The senator is pictured below.
December 2006
The Minnesota Department of Transportation hosted an open house that attracted more than 100 people.
March 25, 2008
Four southern bypass alignment options are presented at a meeting held at the Claremont American Legion.
August 30, 2010
Members of the public attend an open house which details information from the Final Environmental Impact Statement.
2018
Funding is provided for the expansion of approximately 12-and-a-half miles of Highway 14 between Owatonna and Dodge Center. Jasinski states, "Long before I was elected to the Senate, I remember feeling discouraged by the numerous failed attempts to get this done. When I came to the Senate in 2017, I made expanding this dangerous highway my number one priority. I am happy that so many legislators of both parties shared that goal."
November 5, 2019
Ground breaking south of Claremont is pictured below.
November 9, 2021
Traffic rolls on the newly expanded highway.
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