Staff photo by Fritz Busch Westbound Highway 14 traffic approaches the CR 37 ramp and interchange just southeast of New Ulm. The two-year, $84 million four-lane expansion project opened to traffic last November. Authorities praised the project of increasing public safety. It also included replacement of three bridges and construction of two new ones, new interchanges in New Ulm and Courtland, a Courtland bypass, improved lighting and a snow fence.

NEW ULM — Courtland Fire Chief Dave Ubl feels good about the two-year, $84 million Highway 14 four-lane expansion project that opened between New Ulm and Nicollet last November.

For one thing, he hasn’t had to respond to any serious crashes on the highway like he before the project was completed.

“We’ve had a drastic reduction in Highway 14 crashes. Before the four-lane project was done, we usually had several serious crashes on Highway 14 throughout the year. Now we see minor crashes with people going into the ditch. The four-lane project also increased our safety in responding to calls,” Ubl said.

He said the Highway 14-CR 37 (20th South Street) interchange with roundabouts is a big improvement from the intersection it replaced.

“Like everybody else, I’ve been waiting a long time for this. I responded to lots of crashes and fatalities there. People were leery of roundabouts at first. I think they’ve adapted to them,” said Ubl, who has 22 years with the Courtland Fire Department.

He feels Courtland is a lot safer place now with a lot less traffic.

“It’s a lot more quiet downtown too. People on the north end of town may hear semis, but I haven’t heard any complaints,” said Ubl.

He is optimistic about the new snow fences along Highway 14, especially between Courtland and Nicollet.

“I’ve seen them in other places and they seem to make a difference. It’s hard to know around here yet, until we get a bad winter,” said Ubl.

Nicollet Mayor Fred Froehlich, who has many years with the Nicollet Fire Department called the four-lane project a “Godsend” at the 2023 highway ribbon cutting just north of Courtland.

“I’m super pleased to have it. I hear nothing but positive comments. It’s a big safety improvement for southern Minnesota people that travel. It’s so easy to get to New Ulm and Mankato now. It was worth every penny put into it,” said Froehlich.

Nicollet County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Aaron Peterson said he can’t think of a serious crash only involving head-on or over the center line traffic on Highway 14 this year.

“We’ve had loose cattle hit by vehicles that seriously hurt people and cattle. We’ve been responding to vehicle-deer crashes but rarely are people injured,” he said.

Ubl said the City of Courtland is working on a comprehensive plan and some land was recently sold on both sides of Highway 14 west of Courtand.

“I haven’t heard yet what the landowner plans to do with it. The City of Courtland extended utilities just south of Highway 14,” he said.

United Farmers Cooperative Vice President Darv Turbes said Courtland residents continue to support the convenience store, although the number of vehicles that pass the business are about 500 a day compared to 7,000 when Highway 14 traffic went through town.

“Obviously, (convenience store) foot traffic and restroom stops slowed down. Business is down 17 to 20% since the four-lane project was done, but we’re still at a managing point. With further Courtland development, there’s a spot for the store in Courtland,” said Turbes.

“Rest assured, the store is still there. It’s open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. We learned from the COVID pandemic that we don’t need to stay open to 10 p.m. I’m pleased with the way things are performing,” he said.

The four-lane project that was two-thirds federally funded, was completed after decades of fatal crashes.

Last November, Highway 14 Partnership President Kevin Raney of Owatonna said leadership from people like the late New Ulm Mayor Bob Beussman made the four-lane project a reality.

“Bob didn’t rest in peace. He pushed for this project while he was in heaven and can now rest in peace. People from New Ulm and Mankato pushed just as hard for Owatonna to get four-lane projects as they did for their own cities. I’m proud to return the favor today,” said Raney.