MANKATO — After a nearly a month-long delay, a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of Highway 14 New Ulm to Nicollet four-lane expansion project takes place at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21 at the new Highway 14 eastbound bridge in Courtland.

The $83.5 million project converted the two-lane highway to a four-lane divided highway, and added new interchanges at Brown County Road 37 near New Ulm and Nicollet County Road 12/24 near Courtland. The 12.5-mile project completes a continuous four-lane highway between New Ulm and Rochester.

Nancy Daubenberger, MnDOT Commissioner and federal, state, and local dignitaries have been invited.

The public is welcome to attend. Music will be provided by the Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School Band.

Directions to the event:

• From the east (Mankato), take Highway 14 to Nicollet. Go around the roundabout and across the bridge. Travel south approximately 3 miles on Nicollet County Road 23/461st Ave. Turn right onto Nicollet County Road 25/478th St. to Courtland. In Courtland, drive west on old Highway 14 and turn right onto Nicollet County Road 24. Proceed under the bridge and around the roundabout to the westbound on-ramp to Highway 14. Travel on westbound Highway 14 approximately 1 mile to the concrete crossover to get onto eastbound Highway 14.

• From the west (New Ulm), take Highway 15/68 to 20th Street South (Brown County Road 37). Use the eastbound on-ramp to Highway 14.

Parking will be on the eastbound lanes, at the shoulders. MnDOT staff will direct traffic.

After the event, traffic will be directed on eastbound Highway 14.

• If weather is inclement, the event will be held at the MnDOT truck station in Courtland at 132 Zieske Road.

• Highway 14 is expected to open to through traffic on Tuesday evening. Nov. 21.