https://www.dot.state.mn.us/d3/graphics2/futureprojects.pdf​

https://www.dot.state.mn.us/d3/projects/h65cambridge-braham/

It has been over 30 years since the Highway 65 Cambridge bypass was completed in 1993.  A 6.5-mile segment of Highway 65, between the North end of the 4 lanes, North of Cambridge and the Highway 65/107 Junction Southwest of Braham remain an outdated 2 lane corridor with safety and operational deficiencies, as well as higher than average frequency of serious crashes.  I have witnessed more than enough incidents where someone had to hit their brakes and/or pull over to avoid a serious crash, when someone else attempts to pass or cross in an insufficient traffic gap.  During high demand traveling seasons, Northbound traffic backs up North of Cambridge when travelers from the twin cities head North, Southbound traffic backs up near the Highway 65/107 junction when travelers head back towards the Twin cities.  In Grandy, the spacing between the existing highway and the parallel railroad tracks is inadequate to allow large tractor/trailers to clear the railroad when waiting to access highway 65.

This coming summer of 2026, the Minnesota Department of Transportation has plans to rehabilitate this existing 2 lane corridor to address deteriorating pavement conditions.  According to the MN DOT website link above, this project has an estimated cost of $11 to 14 million, and will require closure and detour of this segment of Highway 65, which will obviously result in HAVOC on traffic and traveling within this area, especially with the fact Highway 95 through Cambridge will also be under construction.  The minor improvements planned within this project, such as additional turn lanes will NOT properly address the safety and operational deficiencies along this corridor.  We acknowledge there's nothing that can be done to change the scope of this upcoming MN DOT project.  However, we can NOT wait another decade or more for this highway to be properly upgraded!

WE STRONGLY URGE THE MN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, ALONG WITH THE HELP OF THE HIGHWAY 65 COALITION, AND ISANTI COUNTY, TO PLAN ON UPGRADING THIS SEGMENT OF HIGHWAY 65 INTO A 4-LANE EXPRESSWAY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME!!  We acknowledge that it takes time to plan, design, fund, and purchase Right of ways, therefore, Fiscal Year 2030-2034 is considered a fair timeframe for this to become a reality.  That's already a 20-year delay from the former plans, and 40 years since the last 4-lane extension (Cambridge bypass), since the MN DOT irresponsibly used funding to extend the 4-lane on Highway 23 between Highway 95 and Foley in 2012!  Funding this segment of Highway 65 shall be prioritized, especially with the recent hike in vehicle taxes!!  Funding should also be obtained from sources designed for these types of upgrades, including the Corridor of Commerce!!

It is important to note that in the mid 2000's, the Minnesota DOT had plans to expand this segment of Highway 65 to 4-lanes during the 2012-2014 timeframe, but unfortunately canceled this plan around 2009-2010, due to funding challenges.  Ironically, Highway 23 got expanded to 4-lanes from East of Highway 95 to the West end of Foley in 2012.  This segment of 23 has lower traffic volumes (7,000 VPD) than 65 South of 107 (over 11,000 VPD).  The last 4-lane extension on Highway 23, From the East end of the St Cloud urban limits to just East of Highway 95, was done in the mid 1990s, LESS than 20 years prior to the 2012 extension.  Recently, Highway 23 had 2 projects done to form a continuous 4-lane corridor between Willmar and St Cloud.  Both of these Gaps also have approximately 7,000 VPD.  There MAY be higher volumes of large commercial vehicles traveling on Highway 23 between Willmar and St Cloud; however, Highway 23 does NOT experience the peak of recreational traffic and subsequent backups known on Highway 65, which connects the twin cities to multiple regions in northern Minnesota.  Also, there are other highways in Minnesota with lower traffic volumes than 65 that has been expanded to 4-lanes within the past 2 decades, including Highway 53, North of the 53/169 junction North of Virginia (similar to the 65/107 junction), and Highway 14, in Southern MN.  This simply indicates the MN DOT often doesn't prioritize projects in a responsible manner.

An additional 6.5 miles of 4 lane expressway type corridor towards the Highway 65/107 junction, Southwest of Braham will greatly benefit all commuters, travelers, and freight haulers traveling on and in the vicinity of this corridor.  Improving mobility and safety along this segment of Highway 65 will also greatly benefit the economy in East Central Minnesota.