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{{short description|State highway in Minnesota, United States}}
:''This article is about the former routing of US 371 in Minnesota, now Minnesota State Highway 371. For the current US 371 in Arkansas and Louisiana, see ].'' {{About|the former routing of US 371 in Minnesota, now Minnesota State Highway 371|the current US 371 in Arkansas and Louisiana|U.S. Route 371}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox road {{Infobox road
|state=MN |state=MN
|type=MN |type=MN
|route=371 |route=371
|map={{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=290|frame-height=240|from=Minnesota State Highway 371.map}}
|map_custom=yes
|map_notes={{legend0|#cc0000|MN 371}}, {{legend0|#008000|Bus. MN 371}}
|established=1973 |established=1973
|length_mi=107.411 |length_mi=107.411
|length_ref=<ref name=log>]. Files. Updated July 2006</ref> | |length_ref=<ref name=log>{{cite web |author = ] |url = http://www.dot.state.mn.us/roadway/data/reports/thlogpoint.html |title = Trunk Highway Log Point Files |date = July 2006 |publisher = Minnesota Department of Transportation }}</ref>
|tourist=] ]
|direction_a=South |direction_a=South
|terminus_a={{jct|state=MN|US|10}} at ] | |terminus_a={{jct|state=MN|US|10}} at ]
|junction={{plainlist| |junction=
*{{jct|state=MN|MN|115}} at ] *{{jct|state=MN|MN|115}} at ]
*{{jct|state=MN|MN-Bus|371}} near ] *{{jct|state=MN|MN-Bus|371}} near ]
Line 16: Line 22:
*{{jct|state=MN|MN|87}} at ] *{{jct|state=MN|MN|87}} at ]
*{{jct|state=MN|MN|34|MN|200}} at ] *{{jct|state=MN|MN|34|MN|200}} at ]
⚫ }}
|direction_b=North |direction_b=North
|terminus_b={{jct|state=MN|US|2}} at ] |terminus_b={{jct|state=MN|US|2}} at ]
Line 25: Line 30:
|next_route=394 |next_route=394
}} }}

'''Minnesota State Highway 371''' ('''MN&nbsp;371''') is a ] in central and north-central ]. The route connects Minnesota's northern lakes region with the central part of the state. It runs south–north from ] (US&nbsp;10) in ] to ] in ]. MN&nbsp;371 has become a heavily traveled arterial route that was once a two-lane roadway over almost all of its length, but has been widened to four lanes across most of its southern half. Much of the traffic utilizing the route is ]-based traffic heading to their ] on one of the many northern lakes. Highway 371 is {{convert|107|mi|km}} in length. '''Minnesota State Highway&nbsp;371''' ('''MN&nbsp;371''') is a {{convert|107.411|mi|km|-long|adj=mid}} ] in central and north-central ]. The route connects Minnesota's northern lakes region with the central part of the state. It runs north–south from ] (US&nbsp;10) in ] to ] in ]. MN&nbsp;371 has become a heavily traveled arterial route that was once a two-lane roadway over almost all of its length, but has been widened to four lanes across most of its southern half. Much of the traffic on the route is ]-based traffic heading to their ] on one of the many northern lakes.


==Route description== ==Route description==
]]]
MN&nbsp;371 serves as a south–north route in central and north-central Minnesota between ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. MN&nbsp;371 serves as a south–north route in central and north-central Minnesota between ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].


Highway 371 departs from US&nbsp;10 at ] heading to the north, paralleling the ] on the east side of the river. MN&nbsp;371 is a freeway-standard route coming off of US&nbsp;10 as it passes on the west side of the industrial sector of Little Falls. The first interchange heading northbound is with Morrison County Road 46 (CR&nbsp;46), which is the only interchange within the Little Falls area for the freeway portion. MN&nbsp;371 departs from US&nbsp;10 at ] heading north, paralleling the ] on the east side of the river. MN&nbsp;371 is a freeway-standard route coming off US&nbsp;10 as it passes on the west side of Little Falls' industrial sector. The first interchange heading northbound is with Morrison County Road&nbsp;46 (CR&nbsp;46), which is the only interchange within the Little Falls area for the freeway portion.


After Little Falls the route enters rural farmland, which will characterize the rest of the freeway portion of the route. The next interchange for Highway 371 is near the Fort Ripley military base where it meets ] and CR&nbsp;47 at a ]. MN&nbsp;115 serves the military base to the west; a large ] used as a monument is located on the east side of the interchange. It formerly sat on the west side of Highway 371 before the interchange with Highway 115 was built in the early 2000s. This interchange with Highway 115 was the final piece to be completed in the Highway 371 freeway upgrade. After Little Falls the route enters rural farmland, which characterizes the rest of the route's freeway portion. The next interchange is near the Fort Ripley military base, where it meets ] and CR&nbsp;47 at a ]. MN&nbsp;115 serves the military base to the west; a large tank used as a monument is on the east side of the interchange. It formerly sat on the west side of MN&nbsp;371 before the interchange with MN&nbsp;115 was built in the early 2000s. This interchange with MN&nbsp;115 was the last part of the MN&nbsp;371 freeway upgrade to be completed.


The Highway 371 freeway ends a few miles north of Highway 115 at CR&nbsp;48, but maintains a four-lane ] configuration. North of CR&nbsp;48, Highway 371 crosses into ] and enters the town of ], spending a short time passing through the center of the small town. The highway quickly leaves Fort Ripley and continues north as the landscape steadily becomes less farm-oriented and more forested. After Fort Ripley the highway turns to the northeast for several miles and clips the southeast corner of ]. The MN&nbsp;371 freeway ends a few miles north of MN&nbsp;115 at CR&nbsp;48, but maintains a four-lane ] configuration. North of CR&nbsp;48, MN&nbsp;371 crosses into ] and enters the town of ], spending a short time passing through the center of the town. It quickly leaves Fort Ripley and continues north as the landscape steadily becomes less farm-oriented and more forested. After Fort Ripley the highway turns northeast for several miles and clips the southeast corner of ].


A few more miles to the northeast, Highway 371 intersects ]; this is the ] exit. In the year 2000, Highway 371 was moved onto the ] Memorial Highway, which bypasses Brainerd to the west, and the old roadway into downtown Brainerd was redesignated Business Highway 371. Highway 371 itself turns back to the north and crosses the ] before entering ], a smaller city just to the west of Brainerd. In Baxter, MN&nbsp;371 intersects ], another major arterial route for northern Minnesota. Highway 371 heads north through the business district of Baxter, then enters the ] area, a popular tourist destination. A few more miles northeast, MN&nbsp;371 intersects ] (Bus. MN&nbsp;371); this is the ] exit. In 2000, MN&nbsp;371 was moved onto the C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway, which bypasses Brainerd to the west, and the old roadway into downtown Brainerd was redesignated Bus. MN&nbsp;371. MN&nbsp;371 itself turns back to the north and crosses the ] before entering ], a smaller city just west of Brainerd. In Baxter, MN&nbsp;371 intersects ], another major arterial route for northern Minnesota. MN&nbsp;371 heads north through Baxter's business district, then enters the ] area, a popular tourist destination.


Highway 371 crosses an intersection with CR&nbsp;77 and CR&nbsp;48. CR&nbsp;77 is a three-quarter loop around Gull Lake to the west, while Highway 371 makes up the eastern quarter. Highway 371 passes north past several lakes along with many resorts, and reaches the town of ] at a junction with CR&nbsp;77 and CR&nbsp;13; CR&nbsp;13 goes into Nisswa, while CR&nbsp;77 will take one back around Gull Lake to the west. North of this intersection, Highway 371 reduces to a two-lane road, one lane in each direction, as the landscape becomes noticeably more forested. MN&nbsp;371 crosses an intersection with CR&nbsp;77 and CR&nbsp;48. CR 77 is a three-quarter loop around Gull Lake to the west, while MN&nbsp;371 makes up the eastern quarter. MN&nbsp;371 passes north past several lakes and many resorts, and reaches the town of ] at a junction with CR&nbsp;77 and CR&nbsp;13; CR&nbsp;13 goes into Nisswa, while CR&nbsp;77 goes back around Gull Lake to the west. MN&nbsp;371 remains a four-lane divided highway, as the landscape becomes noticeably more forested.


The next town on the route is ], most famous for its ] ]. The road leaves the otherwise small town, which does have one ], behind quickly. Several miles north of Pequot Lakes and after passing through the small town of ], MN&nbsp;371 enters ]. The next town on the route is ], most famous for its ] ]. MN&nbsp;371 exceeds freeway standards from the intersection with CR&nbsp;107 to the intersection with CR&nbsp;112 and Patriot Avenue. Right after the intersection with CR&nbsp;16, MN&nbsp;371 turns into a two-lane road (one lane in each direction). The road leaves the town behind quickly. Several miles north of Pequot Lakes and after passing through the town of ], MN&nbsp;371 enters ].


The forested landscape subsides for a short while as Highway 371 comes to the town of ], the largest town on the route between Brainerd and ], and here Highway 371 intersects the southern terminus of ]. Highway 84 heads to the northeast to ] and ] while Highway 371 continues due north. The forested landscape subsides for a short while as MN&nbsp;371 comes to the town of ], the largest town on the route between Brainerd and ], where it intersects the southern terminus of ]. MN&nbsp;84 heads northeast to ] and ] while MN&nbsp;371 continues due north.


The forests return as Highway 371 reaches the town of ], located on Pine Mountain Lake, where it meets ] for a short ]. After Highway 87 splits off to the east just past Backus Airport, Highway 371 heads into rural forest for about {{convert|22|mi|km}}, broken only by the small town of ] before reaching ] just south of ], a regionally important city in northern Minnesota. Highway 371 and Highway 200 begin an {{convert|8|mi|km|adj=on}} ] at this intersection; Highway 371 north and Highway 200 west continue to the northwest together as they pass around Walker Bay, the western arm of ], one of the largest lakes in Minnesota. The two pass the former ] facility, which was serviced by the unsigned ]. The forests return as MN&nbsp;371 reaches the town of ], on Pine Mountain Lake, where it meets ] for a short ]. After MN&nbsp;87 splits off to the east just past Backus Airport, MN&nbsp;371 heads into rural forest for about {{convert|22|mi|km}}, broken only by the small town of ] before reaching ] just south of Walker, a regionally important city in northern Minnesota. MN&nbsp;371 and MN&nbsp;200 begin an {{convert|8|mi|km|adj=on|spell=in}} concurrency at this intersection; MN&nbsp;371 north and MN&nbsp;200 west continue northwest together as they pass around Walker Bay, the western arm of ], one of Minnesota's largest lakes. The two pass the former ] facility, which was serviced by the unsigned ].


Highway 371 and Highway 200 concurrently reach downtown ], a town where travelers can find most amenities. Also in Walker is the eastern terminus of ], which provides the main route between Walker, ], and ] to the west. MN&nbsp;371/MN&nbsp;200 concurrently reaches downtown Walker, a town where most amenities can be found. Also in Walker is the eastern terminus of ], which provides the main route between Walker, ], and ] to the west.


Several miles northwest of Walker, Highway 200 splits off Highway 371, heading west towards ] while Highway 371 stays heading north. Highway 371 will not intersect any more state highways on its mainline routing after this intersection. Meanwhile, the landscape now becomes less treelined and more hilly as the route progresses towards ], the final city on Highway 371. The route enters Cass Lake from the south, passes through downtown and ends at ] just north of downtown, although the roadway itself continues north as a local street. Several miles northwest of Walker, MN&nbsp;200 splits off MN&nbsp;371, heading west toward ] while MN&nbsp;371 heads north. MN&nbsp;371 intersects no more state highways on its mainline routing after this intersection. Meanwhile, the landscape becomes less treelined and hillier as the route progresses toward ], the final city on MN&nbsp;371. The route enters Cass Lake from the south, passes through downtown and ends at ] just north of downtown, although the roadway itself continues north as a local street.


===Memorial designations=== ===Memorial designations===
* On August 7, 2006, the highway was dedicated as the ''Purple Heart Memorial Highway'' in honor of veterans who have been wounded or died in combat. * On August 7, 2006, the highway was dedicated as the Purple Heart Memorial Highway in honor of veterans who have been wounded or died in combat.
* Most of Highway 371, except for the Brainerd bypass, is also officially designated the ''] Expressway''. This is a unique name designation because the portion of Highway 371 from Nisswa to Cass Lake is not built to expressway standards. * Until 2005, most of MN&nbsp;371, except the Brainerd bypass, was also officially designated the Paul Bunyan Expressway. This was a unique name designation because the portion of MN&nbsp;371 from Pequot Lakes to Cass Lake is not built to expressway standards.<ref>{{cite act |type = HF |index = 140 |date = July 14, 2005 |article = 3 |legislature = ] |title = Transportation Policy |url = https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/2005/1/6/a3#a3 |access-date = October 30, 2020 }}</ref>
* The {{convert|6|mi|km|adj=on}} portion of Highway 371 bypass around Brainerd is officially designated the ''] Memorial Highway''. * The {{convert|6|mi|km|adj=on}} portion of &nbsp;371 bypass around Brainerd is officially designated the C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway.

===State Park===
] is located near Highway 371 at the confluence of the ] and ] Rivers. The park is located nine miles south of ] and ]. The park entrance is located one mile west of the ] of Highway 371 and County Road 27. The entrance is on County Road 27.<ref></ref>


==History== ==History==
{{Infobox road small {{Infobox road small
|header_type=former
|state=MN |state=MN
|type=US |type=US 1961
|route=371 |route=371
|formed=1931 |formed=1931
Line 69: Line 72:
}} }}


Minnesota 371 was originally designated as ] from 1931 to 1973. During 1973, US&nbsp;371 was re-designated Minnesota 371. The former US&nbsp;371 designation was ] with US&nbsp;2 from 1931 to 1973 between ] and ] with a terminus at ]. MN&nbsp;371 was originally designated as ] from 1931 to 1973. In 1973, it was designated MN&nbsp;371. The former US&nbsp;371 designation was ] with US&nbsp;2 from 1931 to 1973 between ] and ] with a terminus at ].


Subsequently, US&nbsp;371 was assigned to a concatenation of state highways in ] and ] to form a new US&nbsp;371 in 1994. The current US&nbsp;371 has no relationship to the old US&nbsp;371 (now Minnesota 371) other than being associated with US&nbsp;71 as the parent number. In 1994, US&nbsp;371 was recycled and reassigned to a concatenation of state highways in ] and ] to form a new US&nbsp;371 that has no relationship to the old US&nbsp; (now MN&nbsp;371) other than being associated with US&nbsp;71 as the parent number.


===Improvements=== ===Improvements===
For the most part Highway 371 has been a high-volume, two-lane highway. Because of increases in traffic, especially during times of peak recreational demand, Highway 371 has been the focus of many highway upgrades in the area: For the most part MN&nbsp;371 has been a high-volume, two-lane highway. Because of increases in traffic, especially during times of peak recreational demand, MN&nbsp;371 has been the focus of many upgrades in the area:
* In 2005, the remaining segment of the project that converted Highway 371 to a four-lane expressway from ] to ] was completed. This project included a bypass of ], which opened in the year 2000. The old route through Brainerd is now bannered as ]. * In 2005, the remaining segment of the project that converted MN&nbsp;371 to a four-lane expressway from ] to ] was completed. This project included a bypass of ], which opened in 2000. The old route through Brainerd is now signed ].
* Plans are also in the works to upgrade the {{convert|16|mi|km|adj=on}} segment of Highway 371 from ] to ] to a four-lane expressway, with construction tentatively scheduled to begin around 2015.<ref name="371_North_Project">{{cite web | title=Highway 371 North - Nisswa to Pine River - Four lane expressway upgrade - project status web page | author=Mn/DOT| work=District 3 Local News & Project Studies | url=http://www.dot.state.mn.us/d3/projects/hwy371/index.html | accessdate=November 16, 2007 }}</ref> * There are plans to upgrade the {{convert|16|mi|km|adj=on}} segment of MN&nbsp;371 from ] to ] to a four-lane expressway. No date has been announced for its continued expansion as of 2020.<ref name="371_North_Project">{{cite web |author = ((District 3)) |date = October 2007 |title = Highway 371 North: Four-lane Expansion Between Nisswa and Pine River |publisher = Minnesota Department of Transportation |work = District 3 Local News & Project Studies |url = http://www.dot.state.mn.us/d3/projects/hwy371/index.html |access-date = November 16, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080201084718/http://www.dot.state.mn.us/d3/projects/hwy371/index.html |archive-date = February 1, 2008 }}</ref>

==Highway 371 Business==
⚫ {{infobox road small
⚫ |state=MN
⚫ |type=MN
⚫ |route=371
|subtype=Bus
⚫ |location=]
⚫ |length_mi=5
|length_round=1
⚫ |length_ref=<ref name="log"/>
⚫ }}
⚫ Before the opening of the Brainerd bypass in the year 2000, Old Highway 371 went through downtown Brainerd and then proceeded west on a two-mile (3&nbsp;km) concurrency with ] before resuming north at its current intersection in Baxter. Due to the addition of new highway mileage from the new bypass, the old route of Highway 371 was a candidate for turnback to local jurisdiction. Because of local preference to keep the old routing of Highway 371 as part of the state trunk highway system, it was agreed that portions of other highways in the surrounding area would be turnbacked instead: ] from MN&nbsp;210 to ], and the two-block long ] would be given to the city of Brainerd maintenance, and ] north of MN&nbsp;210 to its terminus at Merrifield would be given to Crow Wing County maintenance as an extension of CR&nbsp;3. The route of Old Highway 371 that had gone through downtown Brainerd and then proceeded west to Baxter was then redesignated '''Highway 371 Business''' in the year 2000. The business route is five miles (8.0&nbsp;km) in length.
{{-}}


==Major intersections== ==Major intersections==
<!--Actual locations should be used, i.e. townships, villages or cities. "E of Camp Ripley" should not be used as a location.--> <!--Actual locations should be used, i.e. townships, villages or cities. "E of Camp Ripley" should not be used as a location.-->
{{Jcttop|length_ref=<ref name="log"/>}} {{Jcttop|length_ref=<ref name="log"/>}}
{{jctint {{MNint
|state=MN
|county=Morrison |county=Morrison
|cspan=3 |cspan=3
Line 104: Line 92:
|type=incomplete |type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=MN|US|10|dir1=east|city1=St. Cloud}} |road={{jct|state=MN|US|10|dir1=east|city1=St. Cloud}}
|notes=South end of MN&nbsp;371; partial interchange: MN 371 north exits US&nbsp;10 west, MN&nbsp;371 south enters US&nbsp;10 east |notes=Southern terminus; no access to US&nbsp;10 west, nor from US&nbsp;10 east; expressway continues east as US&nbsp;10
}} }}
{{jctint {{MNint
|type= |type=
|mile=2.149 |mile=2.149
|mile2=2.273 |mile2=2.273
|road={{Jct|state=MN|CSAH|46|county1=Morrison|to2=y|CSAH|76|county2=Morrison}} |road={{Jct|state=MN|CSAH|46|county1=Morrison|CSAH|76|county2=Morrison|city1=Little Falls}}
|notes=Interchange; provides access to County&nbsp;76, which parallels MN&nbsp;371 to the west |notes=CSAH&nbsp;46 provides access to CSAH&nbsp;76, which parallels MN&nbsp;371 to the west
}} }}
{{jctint {{MNint
|state=MN
|location=Ripley Township |location=Ripley Township
|ctdab=Morrison |ctdab=Morrison
|type=concur
|mile=4.759 |mile=4.759
|mile2=4.802 |mile2=4.802
|road={{Jct|state=MN|MN|115|dir1=west|CSAH|47|county2=Morrison|dir2=east|city1=Randall}} |road={{Jct|state=MN|MN|115|dir1=west|CSAH|47|county2=Morrison|dir2=east|GRR|National|city1=Randall}}
|notes=Interchange; eastern terminus of MN 115 |notes=Southern end of Great River Road concurrency; northern end of expressway; eastern terminus of MN&nbsp;115
}} }}
{{jctint {{MNint
|state=MN
|county=Crow Wing |county=Crow Wing
|cspan=7 |cspan=5
|location=Crow Wing Township |location=Crow Wing Township
|ctdab=Crow Wing |ctdab=Crow Wing
|mile=23.031 |mile=23.031
|road={{Jct|state=MN|MN-Bus|371|dir1=north|city1=Brainerd}} |road={{Jct|state=MN|MN-Bus|371|dir1=north|city1=Brainerd}}
|notes=Interchange; MN 371 Business is the primary route into Brainerd, as MN 371 bypasses Brainerd to the west |notes=Interchange; southern terminus of Bus. MN&nbsp;371
}} }}
{{jctbridge {{jctbridge
Line 136: Line 123:
|mile=24.389 |mile=24.389
|mile2=24.489 |mile2=24.489
|bridge=] }} |bridge=]
⚫ }}
{{jctint
{{MNint
|state=MN
|location=Baxter |location=Baxter
|lspan=3 |lspan=2
|type=concur
|mile=25.883 |mile=
|road={{Jct|state=MN|CSAH|48|county1=Crow Wing|name1=Highland Scenic Drive}}
⚫ |road={{jct|state=MN|GRR|National|name1=College Road}}
|notes=Northern end of Great River Road concurrency
}} }}
{{jctint {{MNint
|mile=27.498 |mile=27.498
|mile2=27.512 |mile2=27.512
|road={{jct|state=MN|MN|210|city1=Brainerd|city2=Baxter}} |road={{jct|state=MN|MN-Bus|371|dir1=south|MN|210|city1=Brainerd|city2=Baxter}}
|notes=Northern terminus of Bus. MN&nbsp;371
}} }}
{{jctint {{MNint
|mile=30.046
|road={{Jct|state=MN|CSAH|49|county1=Crow Wing|dir1=east|CSAH|77|county2=Crow Wing|dir2=west}}
}}
{{jctint
|state=MN
⚫ |location=Nisswa
⚫ |type=
|mile=39.133
|road={{Jct|state=MN|CSAH|13|county1=Crow Wing|dir1=east|CSAH|77|county2=Crow Wing|dir2=west}}
}}
{{jctint
|state=MN
|location=Pequot Lakes |location=Pequot Lakes
|mile=46.862 |mile=46.862
|road={{Jct|state=MN|CSAH|11|county=Crow Wing}} |road={{Jct|state=MN|CSAH|11|county=Crow Wing|city1=Pequot Lakes|city2=Breezy Point}}
|notes=]
}} }}
{{jctint {{MNint
|state=MN
|county=Cass |county=Cass
|cspan=8 |cspan=7
|location=Pine River |location=Pine River
|mile=56.204 |mile=56.204
|road={{jct|state=MN|MN|84|dir1=north|city1=Longville}} |road={{jct|state=MN|MN|84|dir1=north|city1=Longville}}
|notes=Southern terminus of MN 84 |notes=Southern terminus of MN&nbsp;84
}} }}
{{jctint {{MNint
|state=MN
|location=Backus |location=Backus
|type=concur |type=concur
|mile=65.213 |mile=65.213
|road={{jct|state=MN|MN|87|dir1=west|city1=Menahga}} |road={{jct|state=MN|MN|87|dir1=west|city1=Menahga}}
|notes=Southern end of MN 87 concurrency |notes=Southern end of MN&nbsp;87 concurrency
}} }}
{{jctint {{MNint
|state=MN
|location=Powers Township |location=Powers Township
|ctdab=Cass |ctdab=Cass
Line 190: Line 166:
|mile=66.213 |mile=66.213
|road={{jct|state=MN|MN|87|dir1=east|city1=Pontoria}} |road={{jct|state=MN|MN|87|dir1=east|city1=Pontoria}}
|notes=Northern end of MN 87 concurrency |notes=Northern end of MN&nbsp;87 concurrency
}} }}
{{jctint {{MNint
⚫ |location=Ah-gwah-ching
|state=MN
|location=Shingobee Township
|lspan=2
|ctdab=Cass
|type=concur |type=concur
|mile=81.798 |mile=81.798
|road={{jct|state=MN|MN|200|dir1=east|city1=Remer|city2=Hill City}} |road={{jct|state=MN|MN|200|dir1=east|city1=Remer|city2=Hill City}}
|notes=Southern end of MN 200 concurrency |notes=Southern end of MN&nbsp;200 concurrency
}} }}
{{jctint {{MNint
|state=MN
|mile=83.756
⚫ |road={{jct|state=MN|CSAH|37|county1=Cass}}
|notes=Entrance to the former ] Facility
}}
{{jctint
|state=MN
|location=Walker |location=Walker
|mile=86.524 |mile=86.524
|road={{jct|state=MN|MN|34|dir1=west|city1=Akeley|city2=Park Rapids}} |road={{jct|state=MN|MN|34|dir1=west|city1=Akeley|city2=Park Rapids}}
}} }}
{{jctint {{MNint
|state=MN
|location=Shingobee Township |location=Shingobee Township
|ctdab=Cass |ctdab=Cass
Line 221: Line 186:
|mile=90.605 |mile=90.605
|road={{jct|state=MN|MN|200|dir1=west|city1=Mahnomen}} |road={{jct|state=MN|MN|200|dir1=west|city1=Mahnomen}}
|notes=Northern end of MN 200 concurrency |notes=Northern end of MN&nbsp;200 concurrency
}} }}
{{jctint {{MNint
|state=MN
|location=Cass Lake |location=Cass Lake
|mile=107.411 |mile=107.411
|road={{jct|state=MN|US|2|city1=Grand Rapids|city2=Bemidji}} |road={{jct|state=MN|US|2|city1=Grand Rapids|city2=Bemidji}}
|notes=Northern terminus; road continues as Aspen Avenue
}} }}
{{jctbtm|keys=concur,incomplete}} {{jctbtm|keys=concur,incomplete}}

==Business route==
⚫ {{infobox road small
⚫ |state=MN
⚫ |type=MN-Bus
⚫ |route=371
⚫ |location=]
⚫ |length_mi=5
⚫ |length_ref=<ref name="log"/>
⚫ }}
⚫ '''Business Trunk Highway&nbsp;371''' ('''Bus. MN&nbsp;371''') is a ] through ]. Before the Brainerd bypass opened in 2000, Old MN&nbsp;371 went through downtown Brainerd, then proceeded west on a {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in|adj=on}} concurrency with ] before turning north at its current intersection in Baxter. Due to the addition of new highway mileage from the new bypass, the old route of MN&nbsp;371 was a candidate for turnback to local jurisdiction. Because of local preference to keep the old routing of MN&nbsp;371 part of the state trunk highway system, it was agreed that portions of other highways in the surrounding area would be turned back instead: ] from MN&nbsp;210 to ], and the two-block long ] would be given to the city of Brainerd maintenance, and ] north of MN&nbsp;210 to its terminus at Merrifield would be given to Crow Wing County maintenance as an extension of CR&nbsp;3. The route of Old MN&nbsp;371 that went through downtown Brainerd then proceeded west to Baxter was redesignated as the business route in 2000. The business route is {{convert|5|mi|km|spell=in}} long.

==See also==
*{{portal-inline|U.S. Roads}}


==References== ==References==
⚫ {{Attached KML|display=title,inline}}
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}

==External links==
⚫ {{Attached KML|display=title,inline}}
*{{commons category-inline|Minnesota State Highway 371}}


{{US 71}} {{US 71}}
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] ]
] ]
]
]
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Latest revision as of 20:10, 3 August 2024

State highway in Minnesota, United States This article is about the former routing of US 371 in Minnesota, now Minnesota State Highway 371. For the current US 371 in Arkansas and Louisiana, see U.S. Route 371.

Trunk Highway 371 markerTrunk Highway 371
     MN 371,      Bus. MN 371
Route information
Maintained by MnDOT
Length107.411 mi (172.861 km)
Existed1973–present
Tourist
routes		 Great River Road
Major junctions
South end US 10 at Little Falls
Major intersections
North end US 2 at Cass Lake
Location
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountiesMorrison, Crow Wing, Cass
Highway system
  • Minnesota Trunk Highway System
← MN 361→ I-394

Minnesota State Highway 371 (MN 371) is a 107.411-mile-long (172.861 km) state highway in central and north-central Minnesota. The route connects Minnesota's northern lakes region with the central part of the state. It runs north–south from U.S. Highway 10 (US 10) in Little Falls to US 2 in Cass Lake. MN 371 has become a heavily traveled arterial route that was once a two-lane roadway over almost all of its length, but has been widened to four lanes across most of its southern half. Much of the traffic on the route is Twin Cities-based traffic heading to their cabins on one of the many northern lakes.

Route description

MN 371 crossing the Steamboat River

MN 371 serves as a south–north route in central and north-central Minnesota between Little Falls, Baxter, Brainerd, Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, Walker, and Cass Lake.

MN 371 departs from US 10 at Little Falls heading north, paralleling the Mississippi River on the east side of the river. MN 371 is a freeway-standard route coming off US 10 as it passes on the west side of Little Falls' industrial sector. The first interchange heading northbound is with Morrison County Road 46 (CR 46), which is the only interchange within the Little Falls area for the freeway portion.

After Little Falls the route enters rural farmland, which characterizes the rest of the route's freeway portion. The next interchange is near the Fort Ripley military base, where it meets MN 115 and CR 47 at a diamond interchange. MN 115 serves the military base to the west; a large tank used as a monument is on the east side of the interchange. It formerly sat on the west side of MN 371 before the interchange with MN 115 was built in the early 2000s. This interchange with MN 115 was the last part of the MN 371 freeway upgrade to be completed.

The MN 371 freeway ends a few miles north of MN 115 at CR 48, but maintains a four-lane divided highway configuration. North of CR 48, MN 371 crosses into Crow Wing County and enters the town of Fort Ripley, spending a short time passing through the center of the town. It quickly leaves Fort Ripley and continues north as the landscape steadily becomes less farm-oriented and more forested. After Fort Ripley the highway turns northeast for several miles and clips the southeast corner of Crow Wing State Park.

A few more miles northeast, MN 371 intersects Business MN 371 (Bus. MN 371); this is the Brainerd exit. In 2000, MN 371 was moved onto the C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway, which bypasses Brainerd to the west, and the old roadway into downtown Brainerd was redesignated Bus. MN 371. MN 371 itself turns back to the north and crosses the Mississippi River before entering Baxter, a smaller city just west of Brainerd. In Baxter, MN 371 intersects MN 210, another major arterial route for northern Minnesota. MN 371 heads north through Baxter's business district, then enters the Gull Lake area, a popular tourist destination.

MN 371 crosses an intersection with CR 77 and CR 48. CR 77 is a three-quarter loop around Gull Lake to the west, while MN 371 makes up the eastern quarter. MN 371 passes north past several lakes and many resorts, and reaches the town of Nisswa at a junction with CR 77 and CR 13; CR 13 goes into Nisswa, while CR 77 goes back around Gull Lake to the west. MN 371 remains a four-lane divided highway, as the landscape becomes noticeably more forested.

The next town on the route is Pequot Lakes, most famous for its fishing bobber water tower. MN 371 exceeds freeway standards from the intersection with CR 107 to the intersection with CR 112 and Patriot Avenue. Right after the intersection with CR 16, MN 371 turns into a two-lane road (one lane in each direction). The road leaves the town behind quickly. Several miles north of Pequot Lakes and after passing through the town of Jenkins, MN 371 enters Cass County.

The forested landscape subsides for a short while as MN 371 comes to the town of Pine River, the largest town on the route between Brainerd and Walker, where it intersects the southern terminus of MN 84. MN 84 heads northeast to Chickamaw Beach and Longville while MN 371 continues due north.

The forests return as MN 371 reaches the town of Backus, on Pine Mountain Lake, where it meets MN 87 for a short concurrency. After MN 87 splits off to the east just past Backus Airport, MN 371 heads into rural forest for about 22 miles (35 km), broken only by the small town of Hackensack before reaching MN 200 just south of Walker, a regionally important city in northern Minnesota. MN 371 and MN 200 begin an eight-mile (13 km) concurrency at this intersection; MN 371 north and MN 200 west continue northwest together as they pass around Walker Bay, the western arm of Leech Lake, one of Minnesota's largest lakes. The two pass the former Ah-gwah-ching facility, which was serviced by the unsigned MN 290.

MN 371/MN 200 concurrently reaches downtown Walker, a town where most amenities can be found. Also in Walker is the eastern terminus of MN 34, which provides the main route between Walker, Park Rapids, and Detroit Lakes to the west.

Several miles northwest of Walker, MN 200 splits off MN 371, heading west toward Lake Itasca while MN 371 heads north. MN 371 intersects no more state highways on its mainline routing after this intersection. Meanwhile, the landscape becomes less treelined and hillier as the route progresses toward Cass Lake, the final city on MN 371. The route enters Cass Lake from the south, passes through downtown and ends at US 2 just north of downtown, although the roadway itself continues north as a local street.

Memorial designations

  • On August 7, 2006, the highway was dedicated as the Purple Heart Memorial Highway in honor of veterans who have been wounded or died in combat.
  • Until 2005, most of MN 371, except the Brainerd bypass, was also officially designated the Paul Bunyan Expressway. This was a unique name designation because the portion of MN 371 from Pequot Lakes to Cass Lake is not built to expressway standards.
  • The 6-mile (9.7 km) portion of  371 bypass around Brainerd is officially designated the C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway.

History

U.S. Highway 371 markerU.S. Highway 371
LocationLittle Falls–Bemidji
Existed1931–1973

MN 371 was originally designated as US 371 from 1931 to 1973. In 1973, it was designated MN 371. The former US 371 designation was concurrent with US 2 from 1931 to 1973 between Cass Lake and Bemidji with a terminus at US 71.

In 1994, US 371 was recycled and reassigned to a concatenation of state highways in Arkansas and Louisiana to form a new US 371 that has no relationship to the old US  (now MN 371) other than being associated with US 71 as the parent number.

Improvements

For the most part MN 371 has been a high-volume, two-lane highway. Because of increases in traffic, especially during times of peak recreational demand, MN 371 has been the focus of many upgrades in the area:

  • In 2005, the remaining segment of the project that converted MN 371 to a four-lane expressway from Little Falls to Baxter was completed. This project included a bypass of Brainerd, which opened in 2000. The old route through Brainerd is now signed Bus. MN 371.
  • There are plans to upgrade the 16-mile (26 km) segment of MN 371 from Nisswa to Pine River to a four-lane expressway. No date has been announced for its continued expansion as of 2020.

Major intersections

CountyLocationmikmDestinationsNotes
MorrisonLittle Falls0.0000.000
US 10 east – St. Cloud		Southern terminus; no access to US 10 west, nor from US 10 east; expressway continues east as US 10
2.149–
2.273		3.458–
3.658		 CSAH 46 / CSAH 76 – Little FallsCSAH 46 provides access to CSAH 76, which parallels MN 371 to the west
Ripley Township4.759–
4.802		7.659–
7.728


MN 115 west / CSAH 47 east / Great River Road (National Route) – Randall		Southern end of Great River Road concurrency; northern end of expressway; eastern terminus of MN 115
Crow WingCrow Wing Township23.03137.065
Bus. MN 371 north – Brainerd		Interchange; southern terminus of Bus. MN 371
Mississippi River24.389–
24.489		39.250–
39.411		Minnesota Highway 371 Bridge
Baxter
Great River Road (National Route) (College Road)		Northern end of Great River Road concurrency
27.498–
27.512		44.254–
44.276
Bus. MN 371 south / MN 210 – Brainerd, Baxter		Northern terminus of Bus. MN 371
Pequot Lakes46.86275.417 CSAH 11 – Pequot Lakes, Breezy PointDumbbell interchange
CassPine River56.20490.452
MN 84 north – Longville		Southern terminus of MN 84
Backus65.213104.950
MN 87 west – Menahga		Southern end of MN 87 concurrency
Powers Township66.213106.559
MN 87 east – Pontoria		Northern end of MN 87 concurrency
Ah-gwah-ching81.798131.641
MN 200 east – Remer, Hill City		Southern end of MN 200 concurrency
Walker86.524139.247
MN 34 west – Akeley, Park Rapids
Shingobee Township90.605145.815
MN 200 west – Mahnomen		Northern end of MN 200 concurrency
Cass Lake107.411172.861 US 2 – Grand Rapids, BemidjiNorthern terminus; road continues as Aspen Avenue
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Business route

Business Trunk Highway 371 markerBusiness Trunk Highway 371
LocationBrainerd
Length5 mi (8.0 km)

Business Trunk Highway 371 (Bus. MN 371) is a business route through Brainerd. Before the Brainerd bypass opened in 2000, Old MN 371 went through downtown Brainerd, then proceeded west on a two-mile (3.2 km) concurrency with MN 210 before turning north at its current intersection in Baxter. Due to the addition of new highway mileage from the new bypass, the old route of MN 371 was a candidate for turnback to local jurisdiction. Because of local preference to keep the old routing of MN 371 part of the state trunk highway system, it was agreed that portions of other highways in the surrounding area would be turned back instead: MN 18 from MN 210 to MN , and the two-block long MN 322 would be given to the city of Brainerd maintenance, and MN 25 north of MN 210 to its terminus at Merrifield would be given to Crow Wing County maintenance as an extension of CR 3. The route of Old MN 371 that went through downtown Brainerd then proceeded west to Baxter was redesignated as the business route in 2000. The business route is five miles (8.0 km) long.

See also

References

  1. ^ Minnesota Department of Transportation (July 2006). "Trunk Highway Log Point Files". Minnesota Department of Transportation.
  2. Transportation Policy (HF 140, 3). Minnesota Legislature. July 14, 2005. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  3. District 3 (October 2007). "Highway 371 North: Four-lane Expansion Between Nisswa and Pine River". District 3 Local News & Project Studies. Minnesota Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on February 1, 2008. Retrieved November 16, 2007.

External links

KML file (edit • help) Template:Attached KML/Minnesota State Highway 371KML is from Wikidata
U.S. Routes related to US 71
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