On Tuesday, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) announced four road construction projects that will receive funding under the state’s Corridors of Commerce program. The selections include projects in Hennepin, Sherburne, and Wright counties, but none outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Senator Andrew Lang (R-Olivia) issued the following statement:

“Last session, legislation was passed and signed into law that requires MnDOT to allocate Corridors of Commerce funding with particular attention to ‘regional balance.’ It is tremendously disappointing to me that MnDOT chose to fund Corridors of Commerce projects solely in the metropolitan area instead of focusing on statewide balance – and ignoring the needs of Highway 23, Highway 212, Highway 12, Highway 14, and other Greater Minnesota roadways altogether. Completing the final single-lane stretch of Highway 23 between Willmar and Interstate 94 is vital for the economic interests of our region and all of southwestern Minnesota, as well as the sheer safety aspect. I’d like to applaud the efforts to all those involved with and committed to the Highway 23 Coalition, many of whom have spent years trying to finish the four-lane project from Willmar to Interstate 94. Despite this speedbump, I am committed to seeing this project through to its finish.”

Senator Andrew Lang is in his first term representing District 17, which includes communities in Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Renville, and Swift counties.