Deadly Highway 12 corridor to get median barrier

After years of deadly crashes and residents pushing to make Highway 12 safer, the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced Friday that a concrete center median barrier will finally be built.

The median barrier will be built with a $2.3 million federal grant after the Minnesota Legislature failed to pass a bill this session that included $15 million in safety upgrades for Highway 12.

Last August, the highway claimed three lives in just three days prompting an overwhelming response from the community to fight for change. STORY - Deadly stretch of Highway 12 claims 3 lives in 3 days

"Good news and a big thank you to MNDOT, they have been able to find time and funding to build a concrete center median barrier through the Hwy 12 corridor,” the Orono Police Department said Friday.

MnDOT expects work to begin on the median barrier in September 2016. Crews will start work on the left turn lanes in July 2016 and finish by early September 2016.

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