Compromise Business 371 to four lanes. Take the three-lane proposed concept and use it going south through town and take the five-lane concept and use it going north through the city. Keeping the center turn lane as is, you would then have two full traffic lanes coming into Brainerd and one single lane leaving Brainerd. Right turn lanes wherever needed.
Why should this work? Traffic coming into the city from 371 turning onto Business 371 will be welcomed as usual with the same traffic flow patterns. Traffic leaving our city is more inclined to leave at different times and that should help out with any congestion. Our city to the west has been developed and many roads are just dead ends. To the east is a different story. That is the direction our city will continue to grow. All east-west arteries can continue to use the Business 371 as their major artery.
This will leave an additional 12 feet to be used for sidewalks and and right turn lanes along the route. This idea will then save MnDOT from acquiring property from landowners for sidewalks that need to be ADA approved, which is the fear why many council members and citizens are not in favor of the five lane. I'm asking MnDOT and our city council to seriously look at this idea and make it work for all.
I'm tired of hearing all the negatives and I'm not ready to stick a fork into Brainerd "claiming it is finished."
We have a lot of growth to look at with the Mills Family 640 acre parcel to the southwest of Brainerd, which is planned for housing. Our industrial park to the southeast is growing this summer with a new big business moving in.
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Gary Scheeler
Brainerd City Council president
