Mora Hwy 65 and Hwy 23 — Corridor Study

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View full-size mapIn June 2024, the project team completed the Hwy 65 and Hwy 23 corridor study in Mora. View our executive summary to learn more about the study, what we heard from the community and next steps.

In 2030, we plan to make improvements and reconstruct portions of Hwy 65 and Hwy 23. Bookmark this site and check back again for future updates.

Study goals

  • Understand corridor needs
  • Identify future improvements
  • Develop an ultimate corridor vision

Your input helped us

  • Define the problem
  • Establish project goals
  • Develop alternative design concepts
  • Determine a vision for Hwy 65 and Hwy 23

Recommended corridor visions

The core subarea is complex and was the main focus of the study. Additionally, there were three outer intersections where existing issues were identified and potential improvement were evaluated. A summary of the recommended vision for each subarea is described below:

Core Mora subarea

A roundabout corridor is recommended, featuring single-lane roundabouts at Union St./Division St., Clark St., and at Forest Ave. Paved trail facilities on both sides of the highway are included, with enhanced pedestrian crossing systems included at several key locations. Frontage road reconfigurations and impacts are expected in several areas. This vision is planned for construction in 2030-2031. Click here or view the below layout of the recommended roundabout corridor layout for Core Mora subarea.

A roundabout corridor is recommended, featuring single-lane roundabouts at Union St./Division St., Clark St., and at Forest Ave. Paved trail facilities on both sides of the highway are included, with enhanced pedestrian crossing systems included at several key locations. Frontage road reconfigurations and impacts are expected in several areas. This vision is planned for construction in 2030-2031.

South subarea

A single-lane roundabout is recommended at the intersection of Hwy 23/65 and Dala Ln., replacing an existing traffic signal. The roundabout will improve intersection safety, operate with less delay, and improve pedestrian safety. This improvement is planned for construction in 2030-2031. Click here to view recommended improvements for the outer project subareas.

North and east subareas

A single-lane roundabout is recommended at the intersections of Hwy 65 at 9th St., and at Hwy 23 at Co. Rd. 71/Mahogany St. These projects are not programmed for a specific year and may be prioritized as area development increases or if safety issues arise. Click here to view recommended improvements for the outer project subareas.

Watch the video below to learn about what the corridor study accomplished and what to expect in the future.


View full-size mapIn June 2024, the project team completed the Hwy 65 and Hwy 23 corridor study in Mora. View our executive summary to learn more about the study, what we heard from the community and next steps.

In 2030, we plan to make improvements and reconstruct portions of Hwy 65 and Hwy 23. Bookmark this site and check back again for future updates.

Study goals

  • Understand corridor needs
  • Identify future improvements
  • Develop an ultimate corridor vision

Your input helped us

  • Define the problem
  • Establish project goals
  • Develop alternative design concepts
  • Determine a vision for Hwy 65 and Hwy 23

Recommended corridor visions

The core subarea is complex and was the main focus of the study. Additionally, there were three outer intersections where existing issues were identified and potential improvement were evaluated. A summary of the recommended vision for each subarea is described below:

Core Mora subarea

A roundabout corridor is recommended, featuring single-lane roundabouts at Union St./Division St., Clark St., and at Forest Ave. Paved trail facilities on both sides of the highway are included, with enhanced pedestrian crossing systems included at several key locations. Frontage road reconfigurations and impacts are expected in several areas. This vision is planned for construction in 2030-2031. Click here or view the below layout of the recommended roundabout corridor layout for Core Mora subarea.

A roundabout corridor is recommended, featuring single-lane roundabouts at Union St./Division St., Clark St., and at Forest Ave. Paved trail facilities on both sides of the highway are included, with enhanced pedestrian crossing systems included at several key locations. Frontage road reconfigurations and impacts are expected in several areas. This vision is planned for construction in 2030-2031.

South subarea

A single-lane roundabout is recommended at the intersection of Hwy 23/65 and Dala Ln., replacing an existing traffic signal. The roundabout will improve intersection safety, operate with less delay, and improve pedestrian safety. This improvement is planned for construction in 2030-2031. Click here to view recommended improvements for the outer project subareas.

North and east subareas

A single-lane roundabout is recommended at the intersections of Hwy 65 at 9th St., and at Hwy 23 at Co. Rd. 71/Mahogany St. These projects are not programmed for a specific year and may be prioritized as area development increases or if safety issues arise. Click here to view recommended improvements for the outer project subareas.

Watch the video below to learn about what the corridor study accomplished and what to expect in the future.


  • June 2024 update - Looking ahead

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    The study resulted in a plan for the overall vision for the corridors. Next steps will be initiated by MnDOT’s design and construction teams to progress project development in the coming years.

    Project scoping 2025-2026. Preliminary design 2027-2028. Final design 2028-2029. Construction 2030-2031

  • Previous Events

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    June 5, 2024- Public Meeting

    4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

    Mora City Hall

    101 S Lake St, Mora, MN 55051  

    Click here for meeting materials


    December 7, 2023- Public Meeting

    4 - 6 p.m.

    Mora City Hall

    101 S Lake St, Mora, MN 55051  

    Click here for meeting materials


    March 30, 2022- Public Meeting

    4 - 6 p.m.

    Mora City Hall

    101 S Lake St, Mora, MN 55051  

    Click here for meeting materials


  • What we heard, Dec. 7, 2023, public meeting

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    Thank you for stopping by the public information meeting we held at Mora City Hall. More than 35 people attended. We listened, discussed, and explained potential design options to improve traffic and safety along Hwy 65 and Hwy23 in Mora. Key Takeaways and results from anonymous feedback frames are listed below:

    Key themes

    • Concern for pedestrian safety.
    • Concern for business access to be maintained.
    • Intersection congestion at Hwy 65/McLean and Hwy 65/Hwy 23.
    • General support for roundabouts throughout the corridor.
    • Questions about posted speed limits.


    • Where is the most important location to add a pedestrian crossing for Hwy 23 and/or Hwy 65? Select all that apply

    Union St./Division St.

    5

    McLean St./Portage Ave.

    9

    Clark St.

    7

    Between Clark St. & Forest Ave.

    1

    Forest Ave.

    11

    Maple Ave.

    1
    • We are evaluating improvements at several intersections. Do you support a roundabout corridor?

    Strongly Disagree

    1

    Disagree

    3

    Neutral

    3

    Agree

    7

    Strongly Agree

    7

    Unsure or N/A

    2
    • We are evaluating improvements at several intersections. Do you support a signalized corridor?

    Strongly Disagree

    4

    Disagree

    2

    Neutral

    9

    Agree

    2

    Strongly Agree

    3

    Unsure or N/A

    2
    • We are looking at ways to improve access management to/from Hwy 23 and Hwy 65. Do you think an expanded and/or revised frontage and backage road system would help?

    Strongly Disagree

    1

    Disagree

    1

    Neutral

    1

    Agree

    10

    Strongly Agree

    12

    Unsure or N/A

    1

  • Corridor vision

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    We developed a set of guiding values to describe our vision for the future of Hwy 65 and Hwy 23.

    1. Develop a safe and equitable multimodal transportation system
      • Hwy 65 and Hwy 23 will be a safe, accessible, and efficient street for walkers, bikers, cars, trucks, and transit users.
    2. Provide improvements that are compatible and sustainable with the environment
      • Hwy 65 and Hwy 23 improvements will address long-term infrastructure needs and create opportunities for existing and future land development.
    3. Support local business community
      • Hwy 65 and Hwy 23 improvements will ensure fair and safe access for the business community.

  • Background

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    The Hwy 65 and Hwy 23 Corridor Study was initiated by the Minnesota Department of Transportation to identify and prioritize improvements on two critical roadways within the City of Mora. These arterial roadways are critical for both the local community and greater region. A prior study of both corridors was completed in 2005, but since then the area has grown and conditions have changed. The study area includes both highways within city limits and portions of Hwy 65 to the south of city limits. Improvements have been made to both highways in recent years, but issues remain.

    The study will seek to understand the following:

    • Needs and opportunities in the corridor
    • Establish purpose and need
    • Goals and objectives
    • Develop and evaluate alternatives
    • Reach a consensus on a vision
    • Develop an implementation plan that shows improvements
    • Allows the vision to be achieved over time


    The project team will utilize the history of the corridor to bring fresh ideas and innovative approaches to the proposed vision.

Page last updated: 10 Jul 2024, 01:17 PM