Speaking on behalf of the congregation of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, the Rev. Timothy Yanta tonight spoke during the city's public hearing in regard to the $2.8 million reconstruction and widening of Highway 282.

The Jordan City Council unanimously passed a resolution to, among other things, make water and sewer updates along Highway 282 and widen the road at its intersection with Highway 21, despite the pleas of residents to accommodate a slew of concerns and requests from the church. If St. John's cannot agree on a price for which it will sell to the city a 128-square-foot corner at the highway intersection, the city is authorized to proceed with eminent domain procedures to buy the land.

City Engineer Carol Caron said the Highway 282 project, which spans from a block east of Highway 21 to Creek Lane, would take place next year. The Minnesota Department of Transportation also plans to mill and overlay from Creek Lane to Highway 169.

MnDOT is paying nearly $910,000 for the work.

Yanta told the council that it ought to consider further studies of speed, pedestrian safety, noise, and the foundation of the historic church before widening the highway.

Caron argued that the highway adds a turn lane, not additional through lanes -- meaning it is not being upgraded for additional traffic. It would, however, cut down on traffic congestion at the intersection of highways 21 and 282, she said.