Good turnout for extension of 17 info open house

There were a couple hundred visitors to the Open House last week about a project extending County Road 17 from near the freeway directly easterly to County Road 14. The two-hour open house was held at Lent Township Hall.

Two aerial layouts of the proposed new connector road, were displayed on long tables. People could locate their parcel and see approximately what the impact of the project might be.

The extension of County Road 17 will run many millions of dollars, and the budget and funding are still coming together. The process is at the EAW stage now, which is when the public comments on, and regulators review, material. To see the Environmental Assessment Worksheet search the EQB Monitor volume 46 and number 52, on the state environmental quality board website. The Chisago County website also has information on the EAW. Deadline for submitting comments is January 26.

The construction work itself would commence in 2025 to 2026, according to the information shared at the event.

County Asst. Engineer Ben Hobert and Chisago County Engineer Joe Triplett were at the open house taking questions and suggestions about aspects of the plan. The new connector will run north of what is now County Road 18. This current county road will be turned over to either Lent Township or it becomes a city street if Stacy and Lent finalize their merger. The new road will have round-abouts at the west and east end where it intersects with County Road 14.