transportation

MnDOT looking to improve Highway 23/7 crossing in Clara City

January 19, 2020

MnDOT looking to improve Highway 23/7 crossing in Clara City
Clara City promotes itself as the “Crossroads on the Prairie,” but there is a downside to the meeting of state Highways 23 and 7 at the south end of the community. Traffic accidents at the intersection of the two highways have long been a concern for emergency responders and law enforcement. At the urging of elected officials in Clara City, Chippewa County, and the Highway 23 Coalition, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is looking for ways to make the intersection a safer one.

Electric power co-op puts electric vehicle to use as a consumer teaching tool

December 4, 2019

Electric power co-op puts electric vehicle to use as a consumer teaching tool
SPICER—It may seem logical that a business that sells electricity should have a vehicle that runs on electricity. That’s one reason why the Kandiyohi Power Cooperative began leasing a 2019 Tesla Model 3 this fall. The co-op didn’t want to just “talk the talk but walk the walk,” said Dan Tepfer, energy management specialist with the co-op. The white, four-door sedan has wrap-around advertising letting people know the car is powered “100%” by electricity. With the rise in popularity of

As thousands of trucker positions remain vacant, Ridgewater to offer more CDL training opportunities

October 30, 2019

As thousands of trucker positions remain vacant, Ridgewater to offer more CDL training opportunities
Semitractor-trailers and other commercial vehicles keep the economy in west central Minnesota moving, transporting everything from building materials and groceries to corn and livestock. However, those trucks can’t drive themselves, leading to a huge need for drivers with Class A and B commercial driver’s licenses. “It is really the backbone of the economy out here,” said Jason Duininck, vice president of business development for Duininck Inc. As a construction company, Duininck

Open house gives overview of Kandiyohi County highway changes in wye corridor

October 16, 2019

Open house gives overview of Kandiyohi County highway changes in wye corridor
An open house hosted Wednesday by Kandiyohi County Public Works gave the public a chance to ask questions and learn more about the county’s plans for realigning its highway network at the south end of the railroad bypass corridor.   Jeremy Pfeifer, an engineer with Kandiyohi County Public Works, explains pending changes in the Kandiyohi County highway network at the south end of the railroad bypass corridor west of Willmar. Maps, drawings and aerial footage shot from a drone were on

Willmar Wye is starting to take shape

October 8, 2019

Willmar Wye is starting to take shape
The Minnesota Department of Transportation issued a project update this week on the construction of the Willmar Wye Rail Connector and Industrial Park Access Project. The project to create a railroad bypass west of Willmar includes the realignment of U.S. Highway 12, reconstruction of state Highway 40, and new bridges that will carry motor vehicle traffic over the top of the rail line to be constructed in 2021-22. Dirt work started in July, including the grading of a portion of the new U.S. Highway

Willmar Wye a few golden shovels closer to completion

July 10, 2019

Willmar Wye a few golden shovels closer to completion
WILLMAR — At the end of the old Willmar Municipal Airport runway Tuesday afternoon, golden shovels manned by federal, state and local dignitaries dug out the first few piles of dirt in the Willmar Wye railroad project. “It has been a long journey for many of us and we have accomplished a lot of things with it already,” said Jon Huseby, Minnesota Department of Transportation district engineer for District 8, based in Willmar. The Willmar Rail Connector and Industrial Access Project,

Highway 23 Improvements Moving Ahead

October 19, 2018

Highway 23 Improvements Moving Ahead
On May 30th, Governor Dayton signed the bill approved by the Minnesota Legislature providing $105 million in Corridors of Commerce funding for both four-lane gaps on Highway 23 between Willmar and Interstate 94. The Highway 23 Coalition worked very hard to encourage passage and the signing of the bonding bill that included road funding and other important projects in this region. The Coalition, which now boasts 94 members including 64 businesses and 21 units of government, will continue to hold the

Kwik Trip Comes to Town

October 16, 2018

Kwik Trip Comes to Town
During the past year and a half, Kwik Trip, based in La Crosse, Wisconsin, has transformed several locations in Willmar into brand new gas stations and convenience stores. In doing so, it has significantly redeveloped two sites and is planning on a third location. On U.S. Highway 12 on the east side of Willmar, the company acquired the former Cenex Travel Plaza and an adjacent parcel of land. That enabled Kwik Trip to demolish the existing structures and to construct an 8,800 sq. ft. facility with

Bonding bill includes funding for Highway 23 project

May 21, 2018

Bonding bill includes funding for Highway 23 project
WILLMAR — Looks like the Highway 23 four-lane project between New London and Interstate 94 may get funded after all. As part of the bonding bill that was finalized this weekend, the Legislature added $400 million to the state’s Corridors of Commerce program and put the state Highway 23 project on this list to be completed, said Rep. Dean Urdahl, R-Grove City.   Highway 23 was one of three highway projects selected to receive the new money, along with highways 14 and 252. “Highway

Tribune Editorial: Time to fund the gaps on Highway 23

May 17, 2018

Tribune Editorial: Time to fund the gaps on Highway 23
The fishing agreement of Green Lake—for funding support for the Highway 23 gap projects—lasted apparently about as long as it took for the Minnesota political leaders to get out of Kandiyohi County Saturday. Willmar Lakes Area Governor’s Fishing Opener Host Kelly Morrell won an informal pledge Saturday from Gov. Mark Dayton, Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, R-Nisswa, and House Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, for funding for completing the 7-mile and 9-miles two-lane gaps on state Highway
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