Posted: 9/4/02

Highway 97 meeting is Sept. 17 in FL

The Minnesota Department of Transportation and its local partners will conduct an open house on Tuesday, Sept. 17 to discuss transportation management and improvement measures recommended for TH-97 and the communities along it (the city of Forest Lake and the towns of New Scandia and Columbus). The meeting at Century Junior High School in Forest Lake is scheduled from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Century Junior High School is located at 21395 Goodview Avenue N., south of TH-97 and one block east of US-61.

Highway 97 will not be able to accommodate future traffic without changes, state officials believe. The Highway 97 corridor has experienced rapid growth in traffic volumes over the past decade. This trend is expected to continue as adjacent land is developed for both residential and commercial uses.

The Highway 97 and Surrounding Area Study was sponsored by MnDOT, Anoka and Washington counties, the towns of Columbus and New Scandia and Forest Lake. A task force comprised of local government officials and representatives from ISD 831, met monthly throughout the study to provide guidance with respect to the study objectives and to ensure that the various interests were represented.

An integral part of the study was the involvement of the area public who participated in an open house in April, and two focus group workshops earlier in the study, providing input on the needs and potential transportation solutions in the region.

Proposed short-term improvements to be discussed Sept. 17 include providing new and improved access to Century Junior High School and adding turning lanes at the CR-2 (W. Broadway)-I-35 interchange. Suggested long term improvements include expanding the number of lanes along Highway 97 between I-35 and CR-34; widening the Highway 97 and CR-2 bridges over I-35; and the realignment of the Highway 97/ Highway 61 south junction.

Public involvement is an essential step in developing a successful transportation plan. Mn/DOT staff, local government officials and the study's consultants will provide information and answer questions at the open house. Persons attending the open house are also welcome to submit written comments.

For further information about the Highway 97 and Surrounding Area Study, please contact Mn/DOT's Project Manager, Lynne Bly at (651) 582-1235, toll-free 1-800-657-3774 (e-mail lynne.bly@dot.state.mn.us) or URS Corporation's Project Manager, Jack Forslund at (612) 373-6512, (e-mail jack_forslund@urscorp.com).

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