WILLMAR - Area residents and business owners are invited to an open house Tuesday, Feb. 24, to view the Environmental Assessment Worksheet and current project layouts for the proposed Highway 23 passing lanes project in southwest Minnesota.
The open house will be 4 to 6 p.m. in the Granite Falls City Hall, 641 Prentice Street. There will not be a formal presentation, but participants will be able to meet with Minnesota Department of Transportation project staff.
This project involves the construction of passing lanes, turning lanes and intersection improvements at six designated locations on Highway 23 between Interstate 90 and Willmar. The improvements will affect approximately 11.4 miles of the 140-mile corridor.
The plan includes constructing bypass lanes near Raymond in 2016. It also proposes to construct a lane near Clara City in the future if funds are available.
The Environmental Assessment Worksheet examines the purpose and need for the proposed improvements to Highway 23, along with the anticipated social, economic and environmental effects if the project is constructed.
Copies of the Environmental Assessment Worksheet are available for public review during regular business hours at the following locations:
• Montevideo/Chippewa County Library, 224 So. First St., Montevideo
• Willmar Public Library, 410 Fifth St. SW, Willmar
• Marshall-Lyon County Library, 201 C Street, Marshall
• MnDOT District 8A Office Building Lobby, 2505 Transportation Road, Willmar
• MnDOT District 8B Office Building Lobby, 1800 East College Drive, Marshall
• Minneapolis Public Library, Technical & Science Division, Government Docs.,2nd Floor, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
• MnDOT Library, 395 John Ireland Boulevard, St. Paul
The Environmental Assessment Worksheet is also available online at the project website (
www.dot.state.mn.us/d8/
) and the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board website (
www.eqb.state
.mn.us/).
Written comments on the Environmental Assessment Worksheet will be accepted through March 18, 2015. Comments should be submitted to:
Susann Karnowski, P.E.
Minnesota Department of Transportation
District 8 - Willmar
2505 Transportation Road
Willmar, MN 56201
susann.karnowski@state.mn.us
