(ST. PAUL, MN) This week, the Minnesota Senate’s Transportation Committee considered a bill S.F. 3684, authored by Senator Bill Weber (R- Luverne), that would provide $85 million for the design and reconstruction of Truck Highway 23 between the City of Pipestone and the City of Russell.

“Highway 23 is the most heavily traveled highway in Southwestern Minnesota and serves a corridor for multiple cities in our region,” Senator Weber said. “With so much heavy travel, the road has deteriorated quickly and requires repair. We need to make the proper improvements now for everyone’s safety and to continue to promote commerce in our district. With the state’s record surplus, there is no better time than now to act.”

Luke Johnson, a Pipestone County Commissioner, joined Senator Weber to advocate for the project, also citing safety and commerce concerns.

The $85 million in funding would be available for predesign, design, engineering, and reconstruction of Marked Trunk Highway 23 from U.S. Highway 75 in the city of Pipestone to 1.8 miles north of marked Trunk Highway 91 in the city of Russell.
 
If approved, the project could begin construction in 2026.