MnDOT consultants present lane‑reduction, roundabout and pedestrian options for Highway 11/71 corridor in International Falls

Alex Perret, a Minnesota Department of Transportation project manager, opened a second public open house on Feb. 10 to present alternative improvements for the Highway 11/71 corridor in International Falls and to solicit public feedback.

"We're at our second round of meetings here for, Highway 1171 corridor study that we're doing," Perret said, introducing consultants who walked attendees through design options and stations. A consultant identified in the meeting as Angie said the purpose of the session was "to share our different improvement alternative ideas, and learn from you." The study remains in an early alternatives phase; no construction is programmed.

Why it matters: pavement condition and safety. Consultants told attendees the corridor’s pavement is approaching the end of its service life and that recurring safety concerns—high pedestrian demand in places, long crossing distances and drivers exceeding posted speeds in four‑ and five‑lane sections—are motivating consideration of multimodal and access changes rather than simply repaving.

What was proposed. The team presented a set of concepts that, in many locations, would reduce the existing four‑ or five‑lane cross section to a single through lane each direction with turn lanes where needed. Designers explained that reducing lane widths or counts can shorten pedestrian crossings and lower travel speeds. The consultants also described adding a continuous shared‑use trail on one side of the corridor to fill gaps in pedestrian and bicycle facilities.

Intersection changes. The study considered multiple control strategies: removing unwarranted traffic signals, installing stop control, placing medians to limit left turns, and using roundabouts. A consultant said their warrant analysis found that four of the five signals on the corridor "don't meet warrants," and that removing unwarranted signals can improve safety and reduce maintenance costs. The team showed mini roundabout concepts for downtown intersections such as 6th Avenue and considered a mini roundabout at 3rd Avenue but noted building footprints and truck turning needs there may limit feasibility.

Access management and business access. One option includes a median that would convert several business driveways to right‑in/right‑out only; consultants said those changes aim to reduce conflict points but would require drivers to use nearby intersections or U‑turns at roundabouts to complete some movements.

Data and timing. The presenters said they collected vehicle and pedestrian counts in May and September and used a commercial data product, Streetlight Insight, to check seasonal variation. The team emphasized these counts are part of an early study effort: there is no programmed construction year yet, and MnDOT would likely be looking at project programming around 2030; funding sources and the exact scope will be determined through later phases.

Public input and next steps. Attendees were directed to a project website (searchable as "MnDOT International Falls") where boards, layouts and a survey are posted. Hard‑copy surveys were available at the meeting; presenters stated the survey will remain open through Feb. 25. The consultants said they will continue to evaluate alternatives, return in early summer with recommendations, and then finalize the study in the summer.

Voices from the meeting. A consultant summarized the signal analysis: "We show 4 of the 5 signals on the corridor we found, don't meet warrants." Independent traffic engineer Jim Miles, who identified himself during Q&A, said traffic volumes on nearby Highway 53 are comparable to Highway 71 outside peak tourist months.

What did not happen. No formal votes or policy decisions were taken at the open house; the event was an informational and engagement step in the corridor‑study process.

Contacts and how to comment. Presenters listed MnDOT contacts (Alex Perret and Margie, given on the meeting slide) and encouraged comments at the stations or via the online survey. The team plans to summarize public input and report back with recommendations at the next public meeting in early summer.