A crowd of hundreds braved cold, windy conditions as the two-year, $84 million New Ulm to Nicollet Highway 14 four-lane expansion project opened with speeches and music on the Courtland interchange bridge Tuesday.

The Minnesota Valley Lutheran (MVL) High School band set the tone, playing John Denver’s “Country Roads” prior to the ceremony.

“Today is a day of celebration, remembrance and closure to decades of waiting to finish this highway to New Ulm,” said Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) District 7 Greg Ous.

“It’s a time to remember those that lost their lives on Highway 14 and their impacted family and friends. It’s closure for MnDOT staff and so many others for their tireless work on this construction project,” Ous said.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, left, speaks at the Highway 14 four-lane expansion project opening on the Courtland interchange bridge Tuesday. Seated from left are U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Mn Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, 1st District Congressman Brad Finstad of New Ulm and Mn Sen. Nick Frentz of North Mankato.

He said so many people have dreamed of a four-lane highway from New Ulm to Rochester.

“I want to extend my appreciation to everyone impacted by construction. We appreciate our patience and thank you for your understanding,” added Ous.

“To say this is a day we’ve been waiting for is an understatement. I think we’d stand out here in a blizzard to finally finish this piece of highway,” said Gov. Tim Walz.

He talked of coaching a young boy in Mankato who was told by two Minnesota State Patrolmen one night that his father died in a foggy crash near Waseca when Highway 14 had only two lanes.

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar said the Highway 14 project was 67% federally funded.

Photo by Clay Schuldt After two decades of work, the four-lane Highway 14 corridor from Rochester to New Ulm was completed. A special ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the Courtland overpass. Gov. Tim Walz cuts the opening ribbon on the long awaited road project. L to R: Nicollet Mayor Fred Froehlich, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Gov. TIm Walz, State Sen. Nick Frenz, State Rep Paul Torkelson, Rep. Jeff Brand, Congressman Brad Finstad and State Sen.Gary Dahms.

“Mayors came together from New Ulm to Rochester and made a huge, huge difference,” Klobuchar said.

“My thought of my in-laws from Mankato everyday they were on old Highway 14 that put drivers in harm’s way daily,” said Klobuchar. “From 2014 to 2019, there were 44 crashes in just on one Rochester intersection.”

Congressman Brad Finstad of New Ulm said as a father who sent his daughter down Highway 14 to Mankato for gymnastics, the road taught him a lot about his faith and prayer for her safe arrival home.

“Today is a celebration in honor of the lives of folks tragically lost on this highway,” Finstad said. “Thanks to all the MnDOT folks who promised me this would be done before the snow flies. We got there. I thank the farmers that gave up some of their most fertile farm ground to make this road happen.”

Finstad thanked the politicians that made the highway project happen including late 1st District Congressman Jim Hagedorn who made Highway 14 his calling card.

Sen. Nick Frentz of North Mankato said former house speaker Margaret Anderson-Kelliher authored the federal loan program bill that allowed the highway project loan for the project.

“We’re going to save a lot of lives when we cut this ribbon. It may not be your neighbor’s life, but it’ll be someone’s neighbor,” said Frentz. “This is a victory for all of Minnesota. Thank you.”

Rep. Jeff Brand of St. Peter said a Courtland firefighter told him he was tired of pulling dead people from cars.

“This will be a Godsend,” said Nicollet Mayor Fred Froehlich.

“I see economic development and growth,” said Courtland Mayor Al Poehler. “Most important is safety. I’m just tickled.”

Highway 14 Partnership President Kevin Raney of Owatonna said leadership played a big part in making the project a reality.

“We stand on the shoulders of leaders like (award-winning Steele County Special Deputy) Les Abraham and (the late, former New Ulm Mayor) Bob Beussman who fought to make this a reality,” said Raney. “Bob didn’t rest in peace. He’s been pushing for this in heaven and can now rest in peace. People from New Ulm and Mankato pushed just as hard for Owatonna to get projects as they did for their own cities. I’m proud to return the favor today. Thank you Gov. Walz for taking the time with your staff. Gov. Walz took this personally.”

The MVL band played “Stars and Stripes Forever” prior to the ribbon cutting. The highway department said Highway 14 would be open to traffic by 5 p.m. Tuesday. The project contract continues with improvements into June 2024.