Hwy 371 and Hwy 34 — Walker

Where is the study now?

The study is in its early stages and is looking to better understand the current conditions. The project team has been conducting research on the corridor, which includes a deep-dive on the traffic levels and how they adjust within the year, and throughout the years to come. The team hosted the first meeting of the community review panel and additional public events. An early goal is to identify core values, which will serve as the foundation throughout the study.

What's next?

We will continue to learn more about the current conditions and needs of the community.

How to participate:

1. Learn more about the study in the posts below
2. View the display boards and information from the Community Review Panel and Open Houses
3. The online survey took place in November and is now closed. Use the comments tab to submit your comments or questions

How do you use Hwy 371 in Walker? Some may use it as a connection to people, neighborhoods, businesses, schools, lakes, recreation, or tourism. Others may use it as a connector between Bemidji and Brainerd. The safety of all who use this corridor is a growing concern. Could we make improvements that would provide a safer experience, for all modes of transportation?

To answer that question we are conducting a planning study in partnership with the City of Walker. It seeks to evaluate the potential improvement options available and develop a community-supported vision for the future.

A steering committee of local stakeholders and community leaders are guiding the study team. Everyone that interacts with the corridors in Walker is invited to participate and provide input. Members of the committee include:

• Hope Fairchild, City of Walker, (Chair)
• Dan Martin, City of Walker, Public Works
• Gary Wilkening, City of Walker, City Council
• Peter Anderley, City of Walker, Police
• Jon Stewart, City of Walker, Fire
• Mike Chosa, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Communications Director
• Cindy Wannarka, Leech Lake Chamber of Commerce
• Roxanne Park, Leech Lake Chamber of Commerce
• Eric Alger, Cass County Sheriff
• Darrick Anderson, Cass County Engineer
• Josh Stevenson, Cass County Administrator
• Pete Opheim, Shingobee Township
• Dave Schotzko, DNR
• Mark Bovee, Leech Lake Association Board
• Dana Gutzmann, Leech Lake River Watershed
• Will Frizzell, local business owner
• Simon Whitehead, resident

It's important to us to find community supported solutions. We will determine a preferred alternative in close consultation with community members and stakeholders. We'll use this study to determine the recommended option, and then pursue funding. The process will take several years and will involve additional public outreach along with consent from the City of Walker and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.

You can share your input via the questions and comments tab, MnDOT project manager Matt Upgren (matthew.upgren@state.mn.us; 218-407-0703), the study steering committee chair Hope Fairchild (hfairchild@ci.walker.mn.us; 218-547-5501), or any member of the study steering committee.

Nestled on the southwest shore of Leech Lake, Walker is a vibrant city that is unique in its size, layout, tourism and importance to the region. The highway pavement will reach the end of its lifecycle within the next 10 years, so we would like to have a community supported vision to help guide future project development.