Ribbon cut for Highway 14 expansion between Nicollet and New Ulm; expected to open to traffic this evening

COURTLAND, Minn. (KEYC) - It’s official, Highway 14 project is expected to fully open to the public later today.

An organized push to get Highway 14 expanded all the way from New Ulm to Rochester began 25 years ago with the creation of the Highway 14 Partnership.

It’s been a collaboration between local, state and federal government.

And today local lawmakers celebrated the final leg of its mission with a ribbon cutting on the new bridge in Courtland.

According to MnDOT, Highway 14 as a priority corridor for the state, especially for southern Minnesota- connecting New Ulm, Courtland, Nicollet, and North Mankato to one another and to other regional centers in Mankato, Owatonna, Rochester, and Winona.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was on-hand this morning, touting the collaborative effort at all levels of government.

“This was a mayor’s project to see the power of a mayor from New Ulm standing with the mayor of Rochester and cutting ribbons on the other end of the highway knowing that someday we would be on this end to get it done and we were in it together was so encouraging,” said Gov. Walz. “It’s the idea of what we can do together and why we do this work for so many of you too myself included It’s very personal on this road.”

MnDOT anticipates to open Hwy 14, between New Ulm and Nicollet, to traffic on 5 p.m., Tuesday evening.

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