Community shares concerns with MnDOT over Highway 13 in south metro

There are big ideas for a busy south metro highway.

Wednesday night, the Minnesota Department of Transportation got feedback on plans to upgrade Highway 13 between Highway 169 in Savage and Nicollet Avenue in Burnsville.

Many in the area consider the highway to be a dangerous, deadly stretch.

"It’s brutal out there. Right now, trying to take left turns across a divided highway," said Jay Hamelink, of Shakopee.

MnDOT said between 2014 and 2018, 30 crashes were reported on that stretch of roadway, with three of them having fatal injuries and four others resulting in serious injuries.

"It is dangerous. The through lane is very busy, so trucks waiting to turn are waiting and stopped on the highway," said Deb Sunderman, of Savage.

So, MnDOT is holding open meetings like the one Wednesday night to hear residents’ concerns. One possible solution presented is a flyover lane, where trucks would drive onto an elevated ramp to avoid the intersection altogether.

"We’re really concerned about how many people are endangered," said MnDOT Planner David Elvin. "They need a longer break in the traffic and they’re not getting it," he added.

The project is expected to cost about $30 million, but most agree that something needs to be done.

You can find more about the project here.