Community flocks to Hwy 73 meeting

For 80 years, local residents have been asking for a Minnesota Highway 73 upgrade, specifically for the eight miles of the two-lane highway south of Cromwell.

"That road in the present condition is dangerous," said former firefighter/EMT Bob Hattenberger, speaking at a recent Highway 73 Action Committee meeting. "A response by EMTs and ambulances has no place to park and those there trying to do their job are chancing injury while on the scene."

Others voiced frustrations at a Minnesota Department of Transportation meeting earlier this month, expressing fear of using the road due to regular accidents and deaths and using alternate routes along with worries about increasing truck traffic. The current roadbed has shoulders that drop severely to swamp in stretches impacting an estimated 60 percent of the 8-mile potential project.

More than 75 people came to the Cromwell Pavilion March 14 to see and comment on the interim Highway 73 corridor study and different concepts of reconstruction for the eight miles of highway.

The design possibilities centered on three categories of construction and their anticipated costs:

1. Shoulder widening of the straight stretches of the highway at a cost of $23 million to $24.4 million, with possible construction in 2028. The current roadway has little or no ditching or tapered shoulders. This choice keeps the same 12-foot through lane but expands the asphalt shield surface to 2 feet, rising to 5 feet with a third proposal up to 7 feet on each side of the road. This leaves room to change a flat tire on that roadway. Ditches would be cleared and formed 44 to 62 feet on each side of the road. No subgrade improvements are included in these design proposals.

2. Five alternatives have been designed for the sharp curves from the Herranen Road and County Road 129 (Mahtowa Road). Costs for flattening the curves range from $7.4 million to $12.4 million. Right of Way was purchased in the past but little of the land will be used in the five proposals being considered. Designed highway speed is at 60 mph.

3. Five alternatives have been designed for the sharp curves near the Kingsley Road. Relocating the roadbed in that area will cost $4.4 million to $6.1 million. Farmland will be impacted depending on which proposal is used.

The total project cost for eight miles of reconstruction varies from $45.9 to $91.9 million. Roadbed issues could increase the cost of the rebuild. Current plans proposed leaving the sub-base untouched with its existing corduroy undisturbed.

The MnDOT study noted that "other improvements such as flooding mitigation, vertical curve corrections, and . . . project unknowns" will increase the overall costs."

"We don't need a project that isn't a rebuild but a series of bandaids," said Pat Messer of Eagle Township. "We want it done the right way so it lasts."

Attending MnDOT staff noted that upgrading Highway 73 is not on the department's 20-year plan.

State Sen. Jason Rarick attended the meeting.

Rarick said he has submitted a bill proposal for the bonding bill now being considered during the current legislative session.

A study is mandated by MnDOT before a project can be considered. Federally funded projects must go through a study process to be considered for approval. Consultants admit that selection of a project and a construction timeframe will depend on funding. Typically, construction can start three to four years after funding is secured.

"The work the local activists have done and the resulting political pressure has made it possible for this study in preparation for the next steps toward construction," said Derek Frederickson from the Duluth MnDOT office.

Fill out a survey

The Highway 73 Action Committee asks everyone in western Carlton County to fill out an online or written Highway 73 survey in the next two to three weeks. Deadline is April 14.

Find the online survey at: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/d1/

projects/hwy-73-corridor- study/index.html. For paper surveys, call Hwy. 73 Action committee members Doug Suhonen at 218-341-9769 or Dan Reed at 218-380-2857.

"We need strong responses in this survey to give us as a committee the support to convince the powers that be that the Hwy. 73 project needs to be funded," said action committee member Doug Suhonen. "Why do I work on this project? I and my family use that road and it needs to be done."