A Hurdle to Highway 14 Expansion Between Owatonna and Dodge Center

There is still a hurdle to overcome in the effort to get Highway 14 expansion underway quickly between Owatonna and Dodge Center. And it isn't a snow bank. In this week's Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism e-newsletter, it's reported that language in the legislation to fund the highway expansion would mean a delay of three years before bonds could be sold.

The newsletter states, "While it was the legislature's intent to give MnDOT the flexibility to construct Corridors of Commerce projects like Highway 14 when each project was ready to go, the language of the bill complicated matters. Although MnDOT staff is ready to start preparation work on Highway 14 right away, the MMB and MnDOT determined that unless the Legislature adopted clarifying legislation, the bonds to fund the project could not be sold by the state until 2022."

The newsletter reports that legislation to correct the delay is moving forward.

Speaking of roads, the newsletter offers an update on turning Oak Avenue from a 4-lane to a 3-lane road. Construction is scheduled for this summer. You can also find a tax calculator to determine the impact of the proposed construction of a new Owatonna High School, which goes to a vote on May 14, 2019.

Owatonna's Chamber Ambassadors recently visited Torey's Restaurant at its new location at 208 N Cedar in downtown Owatonna and new chamber member American Family Insurance-Richard Anderson Agency at 212 Oak Avenue.