No. 7 is to Be Relocated According

to Recent Surveys Made by

Highway Department.

——–

DISTANCE SHORTENED THREE-FOURTHS MILE

——–

Reconstruction Will Start Three Miles Northeast of Springfield. All Railroad Crossings to Be Eliminated.

——–

The Journal is in a position this week to give definite information as to the relocation of Trunk Highway No. 7, which is to be reconstructed by the state highway department as soon as the necessary surveys are completed and the contracts let for this work under the $250,000 reimbursement bonds voted by the Brown county board and which are to be retired by the state highway department.

There has been some discussion as to why a practically new highway is to be constructed. The reasons are many and are given in detail by Commissioner of Highways C. M. Babcock, who says:

Present Plans Mapped Out.

The relocation which is proposed at this time begins on the south line of section 2, township 109, range 34, about three miles northeast of Springfield, as we expect to make a temporary connection with the present Trunk Highway at the southwest corner of this section. The relocation northeasterly along the track from this point will shorten the line approximately three-fourths of a mile and will avoid the necessity of re-building two large bridges, which will be adequate for a long time for traffic which they will be called upon to carry provided they are relieved1 of the trunk highway traffic.

This relocation connects with the old road at the underpass with the Northwestern Railway just west of Cobden. It is expected that the alignment at this underpass will be improved either by introducing longer curves adjacent to the underpass or by constructing a new opening under the railway on the section line, there-by placing the underpass directly in line with the present bridge.

Three R. R. Crossings

Eliminated.

At the corner two miles east of Cob-den it is proposed to continue east on section line and enter Sleepy Eye from the south. This relocation eliminates three railway grade crossings on the trunk highway and is very desirable on that account.

Between Sleepy Eye and New Ulm is a new location which is being considered paralleling the railway from a point just outside of Sleepy Eye, at the Louis Romberg farm in section 29 in the town of Home, to the east and west section line a short distance east of Essig. The road will then follow the section line east to an intersection with a street which will make it possible to enter New Ulm on Broadway.

Shortens Distance Nearly a Mile.

This proposed relocation has the following advantages:

1st-It shortens the distance be-tween Sleepy Eye and New Ulm approximately three-fourths of a mile.

2nd-It eliminates all right angle turns between these towns, substituting therefor very easy curves.

3rd-It affords an entrance into New Ulm on easy grades, whereas the present road has a very steep grade adjacent to the hospital which could not easily be improved if that route were to be followed.

4th-It avoids the destruction of the present road and affords a detour for construction.

5th-It will give an additional farming community the benefit of an improved road while the present road with a nominal amount of maintenance will give very satisfactory service to its adjacent territory.

6th-The change in location directly east of Sleepy Eye in addition to saving distance has the advantage of saving the construction of a bridge and avoids the construction of the roadway parallel to the drainage ditch for a considerable distance. This refers to the situation approximately two miles east of Sleepy Eye.

The old road will also serve as a detour and serve the adjacent territory west of Sleepy Eye and the highway department considers whatever additional cost may be involved in construction on the new line is offset by the advantage gained in being able to carry the traffic over the present temporary trunk highway during the construction on the new line is offset by also continue to serve as a state and county road.

To Avoid Crossings Here.

In New Ulm they are seeking to develop a plan by which a satisfactory connection can be made between the business section of New Ulm and the new high water crossing across the Minnesota river by which the grade 1 crossings, both on the M. & St. L. and the Northwestern railways can be eliminated. The plan first considered did not provide for a separation on the Northwestern railway but it is now believed that by introducing easy curves it will be possible to cross the M. & St. L. on an overhead bridge and go under the Northwestern, thereby eliminating grade crossings on both of these lines.

The plans for proposed construction in accordance with the foregoing have been completed in a tentative form and they will be checked in the field at an early date in order that they may be fully completed with the least possible delay. An appraisal has also been made of the right-of-way dam-ages involved in the proposed relocation. Completion of plans and right-of-way proceedings will be carried forward as rapidly as possible so as to place this construction under con-tract as early in the season as possible.

New Ulm Review,

April 8, 1925

————————

Admiral Robert Stocker