'This is an important stage for us': MnDOT project manager shares details about vision for Highway 65 in Mora

An open house at Mora City Hall on March 11 will officially kick off the design phase of a MnDOT project to reconstruct and update Highway 65 in Mora.

On Thursday, MnDOT development project manager Eric Schiller joined KBEK to share details about project planning, with construction to start as early as 2030.

Schiller explained that the project was initially only planned for pavement rehabilitation from Ann River/Fish Lake to Mora Lake, but now includes four single-lane roundabouts and constructing a trail/sidewalk along both sides of the highway with enhanced crosswalk systems.

"Back in 2022, MnDOT conducted a study with the city of Mora and some area partners on Highways 65 and 23," Schiller said. "That study concluded in 2024, where we published a report that recommends improvements to Highway 65."

Schiller said those recommendations "perfectly align" with the segments of pavement due for resurfacing.

"We're looking to incorporate some of the vision of this corridor study directly into that project," he said.

Schiller said the design phase is an important step in realizing that vision.

"This is a really important stage for us," he said. "It takes what's a vision and a study, and puts it into a project-specific concept and eventually a plan set we bid out to a contractor. We're looking forward to having folks involved with it."

Schiller outlined some of the goals of the project, including improving traffic flow and access, addressing aging infrastructure, and focusing on motorist and pedestrian safety.

"We certainly heard a lot about that in the corridor study, that people feel the pedestrian environment is uncomfortable," Schiller said. "It's difficult to cross the road, it's difficult to go to things they want to go to."

Schiller explained that the project's vision for installing four roundabouts helps address safety and access needs and "keep things moving along, and do it in a safer way."

"Access from the side roads is another challenge," he said. "The priority is all given to the main line through Mora, and sometimes it's very difficult to get a side street gap to get out. That's where having roundabouts implemented into the design is sort of creating that balance."

When discussing safety, Schiller said reducing the crash rate is a MnDOT focus: Over the past five years, nearly 50% of crashes in the project area have been angle crashes.

MnDOT is targeting construction to begin as early as 2030, with an estimated total cost of $25 million.

"Right now, MnDOT is working on securing and aligning the funding for the pavement project," Schiller said. "But we're going to be working for the coming years here to make sure the design is ready for that funding when it's secured."

The open house is scheduled for 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, and Schiller said he recommends Mora residents to check out MnDOT's website about the project for more information.

"We're looking forward to hearing from you all as we start to move this through the design process and start to put more detail into the design and project itself," Schiller said.