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Dirt won’t be moved on the west end project for improving Highway 8 until 2026, and the public input for the east end of the highway is already starting to be collected.  The roadway segment from Chisago City to Taylors Falls is slated for resurfacing in 2032— but citizens are being asked to suggest additional highway improvements now.

Representatives for the MnDOT pre-project crew came to Lindstrom last week gathering comments and questions from local residents and highway users,  in an open house at Lindstrom Community Center.  If you have concerns about access on or off the highway, lighting, being able to cross Highway 8, pedestrian safety or any other issues, MnDOT wants to hear from you.

Alyssa Kruzel, MnDOT Communications, said the on-line comment map is open for the public to identify their hot spots on a layout of the highway until October 27.

The state has been holding information displays and discussions with officials and the general public for several weeks, at Franconia Sculpture Park, farmers markets and civic celebrations. There will be additional chances for nput as designs start to come together, she added.

The schedule now calls for  concepts for construction to be refined by late 2025, so engineers can begin to draft plans and do field work for 2032.

Go to the highway 8 website at https://talk.dot.state.mn.us/hwy-8-chisago-taylorsfalls/maps/comment-map

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