Posted: Monday, July 14, 2008 8:22 pm

It’s been a long time coming.

Finally last week members of federal, state and local government met along the south side of Waseca to officially break ground on what will be a four-lane Highway 14 bypass around the city.

Talking about Highway 14 construction has been a regular activity of Waseca County residents for years. An entire generation of us has basically grown up with the promise of something being done, but without the funds to actually follow through.

That all changed Friday when Waseca Mayor Roy Srp, Waseca Chamber of Commerce members, and state and federal elected officials all dug in with shovels to signify the beginning of Stage C of the Highway 14 project, which includes a new Waseca bypass.

Now is the time for the construction itself to outshine the means by which we came to this point. The Highway 14 project was always touted as a top priority for both Republican and Democrat legislators at both the state and federal level. But there were — and probably will continue to be — plenty of bumps along the way. Legislators from our area tended to join hands in support of Highway 14 expansion when the time was right, but too often transportation bills and partisanship got the best of them.

Regardless of party affiliation or government level, when it came down to it those with a means to help made sure that the project made the top of funding lists. Unfortunately it didn’t always stay there.

Perhaps Friday’s show of support from all area legislators is a sign of things to come. Though completion of the project is still years down the road, the ceremonial kickoff was a chance for our elected officials to rub shoulders — literally — as they scooped the first bit of earth for Waseca’s bypass.

Here’s to hopes that we can keep it this way.