A roundabout may be part of Crosslake’s (Minnesota) plans at an intersection that is among the city’s busiest, a report said.
County Engineer Tim Bray said the Crow Wing County Highway Department is planning to apply for grant money to upgrade connections between county highways 3 and 66 under the Federal Land Access Program, which provides funds to projects that improve access to federal land.
The entry point into Cross Lake Recreation Area and campgrounds is situated on the western arm of the intersection.
Bray shared that the main reasons for the pursuit of an improvement to the crossroads in 2024 are to ease congestion in the area (especially during summer when tourism is at its highest) and prepare for the anticipated large number of visitors when the proposed National Loon Center is constructed.
The center is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors to the Crosslake area, with only a few parking spaces available on the property.
This is a facility similar to the wolf center and the eagle center and those kinds of things around Minnesota that are large tourist attractions,” Bray said. “With that, you’re going to have increased pedestrian demand, vehicle demand. And this intersection that’s already kind of struggling in terms of congestion—not crashes, thankfully—will continue to cause us problems.”
Without any outside funding, Bray noted this intersection isn’t at the top of the list of priorities for the county because accidents don’t really happen at the intersection. The possibility of combining the funds they plan to apply for together with federal funds from the Transportation Alternatives grant program makes the project viable.
It is important to note that the Federal Land Access Program requires a 20% local match once a grant is rewarded. Bray stated he would add to the resolution he’ll present to the board on November 23. The board will decide whether to authorize Bray to apply for the grant at that time.
Bray said that the roundabout plan is in its early stages and, should the $1 million be given, it would be allotted for engineering costs, a study, public outreach, and more in-depth design work that will ensure that the roundabout takes into consideration any potential concerns of residents, as well as rights of way and other aspects.
Can you believe the buzz around the proposed roundabout near the campground? 🚗 Locals are all abuzz about the potential traffic improvements and safety boost. With the National Loon Center in the works, it feels like Crosslake is gearing up for a whole new wave of visitors to enjoy the area! What are your thoughts on these exciting changes? 😊
I came across some interesting news about potential upgrades at the Cross Lake Recreation Area intersection. They’re thinking of adding a roundabout to make traffic smoother and safer. It could really spruce up the area for us locals and visitors alike!