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Woman driver: 'It's like a zoo out there during rush hour' Drivers sound off on the most dangerous intersections Staff Writer When it comes to voting for the most dangerous intersection in Crow Wing County, residents are of two minds.
Sixteen people responded to the Dispatch's request for readers to nominate what they believe is the worst intersection in Crow Wing County. The intersections of Willow and South Sixth streets and Northwest Fourth and James streets were deemed to be the greatest hazard to motorists with four votes each.
More than 150 people responded to a poll at the Dispatch's Web site that asked readers if they or someone they know had been involved in an accident or close call at one of the four intersections identified in 2005 as having the most accidents. The intersections were Northwest Fourth and James streets, South Sixth and Willow streets, Highways 371 and 210, and Crow Wing County Road 3 and Wise Road.
Of those who responded to the online poll as of Wednesday afternoon, 49 percent answered no, 19 percent said yes to Highways 210 and 371, 17 percent said yes to Northwest Fourth and James streets, 11 percent said yes to South Sixth and Willow streets and 4 percent said yes to Crow Wing County Road 3 and Wise Road.
Statistically, the intersection with the most crashes in Brainerd in 2005 was Northwest Fourth and James streets, with 17. The intersection of Willow and South Sixth streets was second with 11.
"I just take my life into my owns hands when I go in that direction," a Dispatch reader said about the intersection at Northwest Fourth and James streets. The stoplights at Washington and Northwest Fourth streets were also a concern, she said, because semi-trucks often go through red lights.
Several Willow Street residents called in about the Willow Street and South Sixth Street intersection. All said a signal light is needed at the intersection.
"It's like a zoo out there during rush hour," said one woman.
"I watch these accidents happen from 2-4 p.m. This turns into Brainerd International. Something needs to be done. This is terrible," said one man.
The intersection, which was reconstructed in September 2004, has infrastructure in place for signal lights and traffic studies are planned this year at the intersection.
Other intersections readers deemed dangerous were South Sixth and Oak streets near the YMCA, the four-way stop at Laurel Street and East River Road near the Brainerd Fire Hall, Southwest Fourth Street and College Drive and College Drive and South Fourth Street near Brainerd High School.
Two callers suggested the stoplight at Fourth Avenue Northeast and Washington Street be relocated a block to the east at Fifth Avenue Northeast and Washington Street.
Another reader said all of Washington Street in Brainerd was dangerous because too many people speed, drive through red lights or fail to yield when making a right turn on a red light.
"It's very dangerous being on Washington Street," she said.
In Baxter, the intersection with the most accidents in 2005 was Highways 210 and 371. One reader suggested the dirt removed from the railroad overpass to the east should have been used to build a cloverleaf interchange at Highways 210 and 371.
Police Chief Jim Exsted noted there's a lack of real estate in Baxter to expand intersections.
While the intersection at Highways 210 and 371 had the most collisions with 24, only a few resulted in injuries. Exsted pointed to the intersection at Woida Road and Highway 371 as the most dangerous as far as crashes with injuries.
In Crow Wing County, the intersection with the most accidents was Crow Wing County Road 3 and Wise Road, with 11.
One reader believed the signal light at that intersection changed from green to red too fast, and asked if there was a way to allow the signal to stay yellow a little longer.
Another reader said the entire Crow Wing County Road 3 corridor was dangerous. He said when he's stopped to make a left turn off the county road people often pass him on the roadway shoulder.
"And I've never seen a highway or road that has so many tailgaters as on County Road 3," he said.
MATT ERICKSON can be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.
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