Background

A key component toward completing the four-lane expansion of Highway 14—and thereby making southern Minnesota’s roads safer—is finalizing two unfinished environmental impact statements (EIS):

• New Ulm to North Mankato
• Owatonna to Dodge Center

An EIS “is a full disclosure document that details the process through which a transportation project was developed, includes consideration of a range of reasonable alternatives, analyzes the potential impacts resulting from the alternatives, and demonstrates compliance with other applicable environmental laws and executive orders.” (Federal Highway Administration, www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov.)  This process involves actions at both the state and federal levels.

Once the two EIS are complete, Highway 14 will be in a better position to secure critical state and federal funding to purchase right-of-way, complete final design and finish construction.

A Commitment from the Minnesota Department of Transportation

During the 2009 legislative session, the U.S. Highway 14 Partnership secured a commitment to advance the environmental impact statement process for these two projects, and hold MnDOT accountable for any delays.  Information regarding these two projects, the EIS, and MnDOT’s commitment to public notice and accountability, may be found below.

• Highway 14 New Ulm to North Mankato MnDOT website
• Highway 14 Owatonna to Dodge Center MnDOT website
• Letter from MnDOT Commissioner Tom Sorel Committing to EIS Schedule and Public Notice

Related Information

• Highway 14 Legislation (passed by the Legislature in 2009, but vetoed by Governor Tim Pawlenty)
• Governor Tim Pawlenty pledges support for completion of environmental impact statements