Laserfiche WebLink
SENT BY; SRC; <br />SI \\S- Hiclm.jy 12 :igrfomcnt reached <br />2- 5-99 3:27PM; 6122969441 -> <br />lurp.Vv% vv IV. wclii/j.ivni Nii»fjw*N h!,t. <br />, - * <br />liivtii>Uia) Pali <br />22VH \\cM Icon .\\w' <br />W.llinu* MN 5^^M Tribune Ki I11^' <br />l .ix C.O«V» < <br />iecdl>.Kik-<»-»xiiih x»"ii <br />lUnne 1 Nii \^ I ^lorts | Edilorittl | I’eiiturcs | Business | <br />Rccorus Obiiuancs j CTIxssificcis <br />.\ivhi' e I About H.s f>pecial Scctiotis | rinks | Fccdb.ick <br />ISLWS: llii>liv%ay 12 ugiccnienl reached <br />S T HAUL - When Sen. Dean Jolmson inliodueed <br />IcgisIatK^n ordering the Minnesota Dcptnlmeni dT <br />Transportation to include an upgrade of Highway 12 in its <br />transporiulion phin, he could not have imagined the result. <br />Johnson, a Republican Irom Willniar. had introduced llic bill <br />to prod a public discussion of the traffic-choked highway. Bui <br />as he prepared to take his bill to the Senate I ransportation <br />CommiUcc on Wednesday for a hearing, he was lidd the <br />project was well beyond the discussion stage. <br />The cities of Wayxato, Long Lake and Orono - three cities that <br />ft>r years liud fought efforts to expand ihe east-west highway - <br />had quicily reached a tentative agreement with the MnDOT u> <br />build a limited access, super two-laiie highway from Way/aUt <br />to Hennepin County Road b, located between Orono and <br />Maple Plain. <br />Plans call for tbe new highway to complement Highway 12. <br />The exi.sting roadway would still be maintained to handle <br />local tratfic through downtow'ii Long Lake and Orono. The <br />new roadway, with access jHiints limited to each end. wtiuld <br />shutlle iralTic tlvough the three cities. <br />I he revelation was a significant development in Ihe ageless <br />light U» expand the highway. Johnson promptly moved to <br />table his bill, saying he hoped the committee discassion could <br />serv e to inlbnn people about the highway needs west of the <br />1 win Cities. <br />Johnson said problems have plagued the highway for years <br />I he Willinar Chamber of Commerce began discussing the <br />need to upgrade ihc highway 49 years ago. <br />Johnson, himseir, has used Highway 12 for 21 year.s to <br />commute Irom Wilhnai to his legislative office in St. Paul. Me <br />said he ha.s traveled the highway 1.039 times. <br />"If you calculate an eight-hour day, I have spent 175 days of <br />rny life on Highway 12 between the State Capitol and <br />Willmar. where I live." he said. <br />Hie highway, designated as one v»f the national emergeney <br />niutes through Miimesota, is da- gerous. he said. <br />I Ml 1 > 5 I jv I'V