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holidays where they see the highest volumes. MNDOT was informed through <br /> the public meetings that Highway 371 was very important and they need to <br /> maintain peoples travel speed and safety. They are recommending over the <br /> next 20-year period, a four-lane project from Nisswa north to Pine River. It is <br /> placed in the longer-range element of the long-range plan. This would mean it <br /> is 10 years from now as there are other projects ahead of it. <br /> Mr. Voss explained the new bypass south should be finished by Labor Day <br /> 2000 and then they will begin building an interchange on the south end of the <br /> bypass to split off the existing Highway 371. <br /> There will be a two county study, community based planning project called <br /> the Community Based Plan. The consultant who received the contract has <br /> hired Mr. Jay Blake. The Community Based Plan is a state funded study <br /> sponsored by the State Planning agency. The study should address <br /> approximately 12 different areas including housing, education, transportation <br /> and water. They will work with communities to identify urban service <br /> boundaries in the next 20 years. They are proposing to hold neighborhood <br /> meetings. This would be an opportunity for Pequot Lakes to get involved in <br /> the process. <br /> Mr. Voss explained there are short-term issues that need be addressed. There <br /> are safety problem issues and MNDOT must be careful that what they do <br /> today will not become obsolete or redundant in the future or conflict with the <br /> longer term strategies for Highway 371. <br /> Mr. Martinson asked if there would be anything that could happen in the area <br /> that could expedite the time frame. <br /> Mr. Voss explained that there is limited funding at the time and proceeded to <br /> explain some of the budget costs. <br /> T. Saccoman voiced concern about the speed limit through town and if the <br /> residents would have any say in what the limit would be. There was concern <br /> about the school children crossing Highway 371 and she wondered if a bridge <br /> would be possible. <br /> G. Welu suggested with a four-lane highway there would probably be a walk <br /> way put by the traffic light. <br />