MNDOT Adequacy Determination - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

`.. identified under Alternative 2(expansion on the existing alignment) are the city's responsibility. Traffic and Safety (7 Comments) . 1. Several comments expressed concern over the safety conditions of the existing roadway. Response: The primary purpose for the Highway 371 North project is to address the safety issues, congestion, and design deficiencies that characterize the existing corridor. The proposed improvements will better serve the current and forecast traffic volumes and improve safety by reducing the number of direct access points onto the highway, improving roadway geometrics, and adding roadway capacity. Economic/ Business Impacts (7 Comments) 1. Several comments were concerned about the local economic impacts associated with a bypass of downtown Pequot Lakes. Response: The potential economic impacts of a by-pass versus a through -city Highway 37.1 alternative were evaluated as part of the studies summarized in'the Hiay 371 Alternative Route Study Group Report commissioned by the City of Pequot Lakes. The findings of the studies indicate the proposed Pequot Lakes Bypass has the potential to result in both beneficial and adverse effects to the local economy of Pequot Lakes. These impacts will occur primarily as a. result of changes in traffic patterns and right -of -way acquisitions. �... The bypass alignment -- identified by the City of Pequot Lakes Council resolution as the preferred alternative (see Section 1.1 of the SMS) —would remove a large portion of the through traffic from the downtown area where the Highway 371 currently exists. The Study noted that the potential economic impacts to the business community are dependent on several factors including. ➢ Location of the existing business ➢ Type of business (traffic - serving vs. destination oriented) ➢ Future community land use decisions ➢ The community and individual business action to proactively address changes The Study indicated that adverse economic* impacts associated with the Pequot Lakes Bypass may include the potential loss ofproperty tar revenue for the City, school district, and Crow Wing County, through the conversion ofprivate property to non - taxable public property. A complete tax -base analysis was included in the September, 2007 "Alternate Route Study Group Report. " The Study also concluded that long -term positive economic effects may include opportunities for implementation of planned development adjacent to the bypass and improved traffic flow. The reduction of truck traffic and overall congestion in downtown Pequot Lakes would provide a more accessible and pedestrian friendly environment that may result in economic benefits The Highway 371 Alternate Route Study also found that `while there is certain to be impacts �- to individual businesses before, during and after the construction of the alternate route, TH 371 Adequacy Determination Nisswa'to Pine River 17 October 2010