Hwy 371 - Nisswa to Baxter

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View full-size map MnDOT completed a study of Hwy 371 between Baxter and Nisswa in Crow Wing County. This roadway is critical for both the local community and the greater region. The study gained an understanding of the needs, identified potential future improvements, and determined how these improvements should be implemented. The study included an analysis of traffic, safety, land use, demographics and development. Click here to view the corridor study one pager.

The study goals were to

  • Understand Hwy 371 needs
  • Identify future improvements
  • Develop recommendations for Hwy 371
  • Inform upcoming pavement and safety improvements

Your input helped us

  • Define the issues
  • Establish project goals
  • Develop alternative design concepts
  • Determine a vision for Hwy 371

Safety was identified as a top concern in the first phase of the study. Several roads that cross or have access onto Hwy 371 have a higher-than-average crash rate. As we take safety and continued growth of the area into consideration, we also want to maintain traffic flow for both local traffic and traffic traveling though the area. As a result, traffic engineers and transportation planners have developed potential improvements at intersections with the highest and most severe crashes.

Final report

The final report and appendices document the recommended improvements:

J-turns improve safety

Through the study area we are recommending the implementation of median U-turns. Also called J-turns, Median U-turns are a way for drivers to cross busy highways by focusing on crossing one direction of traffic at a time.

Instead of taking a left turn or crossing a highway from a side street, the driver turns right onto the highway and merges left to get into the left-turn. The driver watches for a break in traffic and makes a U-turn at the designated median opening.

The new J-turns installed by Brainerd International Raceway have resulted in a 50 percent reduction in crashes since they were completed in November 2022. Learn more about J-turns and how they work: J-turns with captions(External link).



Proposed improvement summaries

Here are the proposed intersection improvements:

View full-size map MnDOT completed a study of Hwy 371 between Baxter and Nisswa in Crow Wing County. This roadway is critical for both the local community and the greater region. The study gained an understanding of the needs, identified potential future improvements, and determined how these improvements should be implemented. The study included an analysis of traffic, safety, land use, demographics and development. Click here to view the corridor study one pager.

The study goals were to

  • Understand Hwy 371 needs
  • Identify future improvements
  • Develop recommendations for Hwy 371
  • Inform upcoming pavement and safety improvements

Your input helped us

  • Define the issues
  • Establish project goals
  • Develop alternative design concepts
  • Determine a vision for Hwy 371

Safety was identified as a top concern in the first phase of the study. Several roads that cross or have access onto Hwy 371 have a higher-than-average crash rate. As we take safety and continued growth of the area into consideration, we also want to maintain traffic flow for both local traffic and traffic traveling though the area. As a result, traffic engineers and transportation planners have developed potential improvements at intersections with the highest and most severe crashes.

Final report

The final report and appendices document the recommended improvements:

J-turns improve safety

Through the study area we are recommending the implementation of median U-turns. Also called J-turns, Median U-turns are a way for drivers to cross busy highways by focusing on crossing one direction of traffic at a time.

Instead of taking a left turn or crossing a highway from a side street, the driver turns right onto the highway and merges left to get into the left-turn. The driver watches for a break in traffic and makes a U-turn at the designated median opening.

The new J-turns installed by Brainerd International Raceway have resulted in a 50 percent reduction in crashes since they were completed in November 2022. Learn more about J-turns and how they work: J-turns with captions(External link).



Proposed improvement summaries

Here are the proposed intersection improvements:

  • Other projects nearby

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    Future intersection at Hwy 210 and 371—Baxter


    MnDOT, in partnership with the city of Baxter and Crow Wing County, will design and construct future improvements at the busy intersection of Hwy 210 and Hwy 371. Read more about the project.

Page last updated: 17 Dec 2025, 11:46 AM