Not everyone happy with proposed Highway 68 construction

Widening the shoulders and replacing culverts on Highway 68 from Minneota to Marshall seemed like a straight forward project designed for 2021.
But when the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MDOT) opened a hearing in Minneota last Thursday, they discovered some folks aren’t happy with the way the department has handled Highway 68 in the past.
Rodney Rye, who lives on the highway between Taunton and Porter called the highway, “A death trap”. He claimed the MDOT, “Promised me before to widen the shoulders, and they’re still not done.”
The project is intended to improve drainage and enhance safety. In addition to the replacement of two culverts (one between Minneota and Ghent and the other between Ghent and Marshall, three more are also planned during this project.
One is between Taunton and Porter, one in Porter and the norther North of Porter.
The five culverts are being replaced, according to Christopher Nienaber of the MDOT, “Because they are deteriorating quickly.”
When Rye claimed, “Why does Taunton to Canby never gets done,” Nienaber said that project is slated for 2027 and 2028.
Business owner Terry  Chlebecek of Terry’s Foods on Highway 68 between Ghent and Marshall said detours hamper his business. “People can’t find my place.” He said this summer when the bridge was done at Marshall, causing detours, “We lost $20,000. This (the proposed construction) will force us out of business,”
While the detours have not be arranged at this time, Mandi Lighthizer assured everyone, “We will be talking to you before this all happens.”
She indicated every effort will be made to help business owners and residents retain access during the highway renovations.
The plan is to widen shoulders from four feet to five and a half five and to replace the five culverts.
A comment from the audience of about 25 people indicated there is a large amount of traffic on Highway 68 from Canby to the Corn Plant in Marshall and she called it, “A very dangerous road.”
When asked why this area doesn’t get a four-lane road, Nienaber said, while it has three to four thousand vehicles per day, that’s not near the traffic Highway 23 gets each day.
When asked if water retention would be considered during the project, the answer was yes, but again, it hasn’t been determined as to how to do it.
Lyon County Commissioner Gary Crowley indicated the project wouldn’t be as extensive as in the past. ‘Culverts go in pretty fast,” he said.  He added, “The problem is financial and we can not get enough money appropriated for Southwest Minnesota.”
That’s why the Marshall to Canby project has been split.
Commissioner Crowley indicated the Twin Cities area always seems to get the priority when it comes to funding highways.
He also asked if any addition “turning lanes” would be added on Highway 68? He indicated, “The best thing that happened was the turning lane onto Highway 33. It made traffic go faster,” said the commissioner.
Nienaber indicated there would be no additional turning lanes in this project.
The MDOT officials told the audience this first meeting was a chance to ask questions and gather information. Another meeting will be held as the project gets closer to reality.