State and local leaders gathered in Jordan on Wednesday to break ground on a long-awaited road project that will bring a new interchange at Highway 169 and Highway 282/County Road 9.
"For far too long, Highway 169 has divided the City of Jordan, separating businesses from homes, and we're about to make this not happen anymore," Minnesota U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D) said at the ceremony. "So I am very excited. We got $16 million for this specific project, a whole lot more for the whole 169 corridor that I started working on when Tim Pawlenty was governor."
Overall the project will improve safety and traffic flow, strengthen connectivity, and create safer options for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Also on hand were U.S. Representative Angie Craig (DFL), Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (DFL) and Minnesota's other U.S. Senator, Tina Smith (D).
"And as we know this is going to mean better, safer conditions for cars and for pedestrians and for cyclists," Smith added. "It's gonna mean better traffic flow, better connections for people, no more waiting for the trains where that's going to be improved, no more waiting at the stoplight, which I did just a minute ago. And overall a huge improvement."
The project's expected to be finished in 2027. The work includes two bridges (over Hwy 169 and railroad tracks), two roundabouts, pedestrian tunnel, sidewalks, retaining walls, and noise walls.
