Contact
- Paul Konickson
Project Engineer
218-828-5737 - Judy Jacobs
Communications
218-828-5706
Location
- South of the railroad tracks in Baxter to the south entrance of Hazelwood Drive in Nisswa
Cost
- $8.4 million
Contractor
- Anderson Brothers Construction of Brainerd
Timeframe
- May 9 - September
Traffic Impacts
- Expect lane closures and shifts, temporary access closures and flaggers controlling traffic at intersections
- Expect night work in Baxter
2011 Construction
The project includes paving a new blacktop surface, constructing shoulders and turn lanes, upgrading traffic signals and closing median crossovers.
Baxter to Nisswa
SEPT. 8 UPDATE - Crews completed paving operations on the north end of this year’s work on the Highway 371 Corridor.
Left turn lanes were constructed at Upper Roy Lake Road, Crow Wing County Roads 29 and 168. The remaining driving lanes will be resurfaced as part of the Corridor improvement project in 2012.
Motorists can expect to see some remaining finishing work in the next few weeks including shouldering, striping and sign installation. Please slow down when traveling in the work zone and expect lane closures in the areas where crews are working.
The finishing work is expected to be completed by the end of September.
MnDOT wishes to thank motorists for their patience and cooperation as we worked on this section of the roadway this summer.
Future Hwy 371 Corridor Improvements
Access and safety improvements will be constructed in 2012 on Hwy 371 in Nisswa. The signalized intersection at Crow Wing County Road 18 and Hwy 371 will be realigned approximately one quarter mile south. The project is a partnership with MnDOT, Crow Wing County and the city of Nisswa. Also planned for the 2012 construction season is a mill and overlay from Upper Roy Lake Road to Pine River.
Pine River is scheduled for sidewalk installation, curb and gutter from Ridge Avenue to Jefferson Avenue on the east side of Hwy 371 and new curb and gutter from Norway Avenue to Jefferson Avenue on the west side. Right turn lanes will be added at the signalized intersections for both northbound and southbound traffic.
The future four lane expansion project from Nisswa to Jenkins is on schedule for 2018.
Background
Pavement on this portion of the Hwy 371 has deteriorated with normal usage and requires resurfacing. This provides an opportunity for MnDOT to make safety and mobility improvements on this corridor in accordance with MnDOT statewide design standards.
Through the development of this project we have investigated the crash history along this section of roadway and identified a potential safety problem concerning the frequency of crashes on the corridor. The majority of crashes occur at intersecting roadways. In order to address this problem, we will be adding or extending right and left turn lanes at all intersecting roadways.
Studies have also shown that as the number of access points increase, so do the number of crashes. In an effort to address concerns over future crashes at these locations, MnDOT will be removing intermediate median crossovers that are not major trip generators.
This 13-mile section of Hwy 371 has 52 median crossovers, which is four times greater than recommended by MnDOT Access Management Manual, which provides guidelines regarding signal spacing and access on the state highway system. Median crossover requirements statewide are one per mile for this volume roadway. This corridor averages four per mile, which can also result in restricted traffic flow, especially during peak summer travel times.
In conjunction with this project, crews will close median crossovers located
(click on the location link to view a close-up of the area):
c at the north end of Soder Road
d at the geological marker at North Long Rest Area
f at the south end of Gull Lake Drive (near Bishop Creek)
References