Some of you may know, but I’m sure most don’t, that Crow Wing County will be undertaking improvements to County Road 11 between Breezy Point and Pequot Lakes this summer. Improvements consist of a mil and overlay of 1 ½ inch of the driving lanes of the highway. This process is expected to take about a week. There will however be other improvements on each end which include storm sewer, pedestrian ramps and some curbing in Breezy Point. Final plans concerning the scope of work have yet to be determined.
The county has also decided to take a proactive look at Co. Rd. 11 and determine what other needs maybe apparent. The concerns are traffic safety near the Eagle View Elementary School, impacts of the bypass at Pequot Lakes, and the potential for an off road pedestrian/bicycle trial between the two cities. Some of these potential improvements could be address in 2012 while others may be acted on as long term improvements.
I think the issues of traffic flow and safety at the school are apparent to some degree. No one wants to see accidents or injury. All of us want the highway to function properly as well as the goal of keeping traffic moving.
With the bypass anticipated to be built in in 2018 there will be changes in traffic patterns. Some traffic will be diverted to that 4 lane road and as such impacts will occur with roads that feed that highway. One of the bigger concerns is the Bushman- Ackerson Road connection to the proposed access near Jenkins. These roadways have issues with design including sightlines, hills, access, and standards to which they were built. With additional traffic potentially using this, the county is studying the impact.
There has been, for years, discussion about a pedestrian/bicycle trail that would connect to the Paul Bunyan Trail in Pequot Lakes. The goal has been pursued by a number of supporters and would be a huge improvement to the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway. It would also provide a link to Eagleview School as well as one to Pequot Lakes.
In looking at these issues the County has formed a task force and hired Transportation Engineering consultants to review theses issues. The task force has representatives from Breezy Point, The school district, Ideal and Jenkins Township and Pequot Lakes. These entities also have participation from law enforcement personnel who have an on the road view of how this roadway system works. The study will continue until March of 2012. There will be open houses for public comment but comments are also welcome at any time.
