MANKATO, Minn. – A recently formed Highway 14 New Ulm to Nicollet Task Force is holding an open house on Thursday, Feb.1, 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Courtland Community Center to inform the public on the task force’s challenge to make recommendations for the future of Highway 14.

The Highway 14 task force is charged with providing recommendations to MnDOT District 7 that make the best use of potential transportation funding. The expansion of Highway 14 from New Ulm to Nicollet is currently unfunded, however, MnDOT is advancing the design and environmental processes to be prepared for potential funding from programs such as the Minnesota legislature’s Corridors of Commerce.

Attendees will be apprised of the process moving forward, guidance on decision making and the potential funding from the Corridors of Commerce. The task force will be looking for input on needs, issues and opportunities along the corridor to consider.

“We expect this task force of area business leaders and city and county officials to determine priorities around where the four-lane ends, major intersection designs and access to Minnesota Valley Lutheran School and businesses,” said MnDOT Project Manager Zak Tess. “This process of public engagement has worked well for us in this area in the past and we look forward to reaching a consensus on corridor improvements.”

Background information on Highway 14 including the previous environmental study and route selection can be found at www.mndot.gov/newulm/ . If you have any feedback on the design of Hwy 14 between New Ulm and Nicollet, contact Zak Tess at zachary.tess@state.mn.us, or via phone at 507-304-6199.

For more information on the Corridors of Commerce highway funding program, visit www.mndot.gov/corridorsofcommerce/.

To request an ASL or foreign language interpreter or other reasonable accommodation, call 1-800-657-3774 (Greater Minnesota); 711 or 1-800-627-3529 (Minnesota Relay).