Orono PD: MnDOT Adding Median Barrier To Highway 12
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – One of Minnesota's most dangerous highways will be receiving increased safety measures this summer.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation will add a concrete median barrier to a particularly dangerous stretch of Highway 12 this summer, according to the Orono Police Department.
Over the last five years, at least 22 people have died on an 8-mile stretch of the highway through Independence, Maple Plain, Orono and Long Lake.
Lawmakers were seeking $15 million to make improvements to the highway, but after they failed to pass a public works bill in this year's session, many were concerned Highway 12 would not receive the necessary safety measures.
The Orono Police Department announced via their Facebook page that MnDOT will fund the barrier. Some roads will be closed during construction, which MnDOT expects will begin in September.
MnDOT announced Friday afternoon that the federal government has made $2.3 million available for the barrier, which will run between County Road 6 and County Road 112/Old Highway 12. Funding will come from money the Federal Highway Administration temporarily withholds annually due to Minnesota's relatively less strict DWI laws.
Additionally, MnDOT has already added LED lights at county road intersections between Maple Plain and Delano. The agency will also build left turn lanes on staggered intersections on the highway where traffic heads north or south to County Road 92.
Construction on the lanes will begin in July and be completed by early September, MnDOT said.