Draft plan favors Cypress Drive site for railroad crossing at 210

BAXTER -- An extended Cypress Drive would be the preferred crossing of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad tracks and Highway 210 in Baxter, according to a draft corridor plan.

The plan, completed by Benshoof and Associates and presented during the Baxter Utilities Commission meeting Wednesday, listed two options for a proposed railroad crossing -- the Cypress Drive extension and a Crow Wing County Road 48 extension further east.

"There seems to be an advantage and overall preference to establish a new crossing of the rails at the Cypress Drive location," said Jim Benshoof, of Benshoof and Associates. "A crossing on the east side at Cypress would function best."

The Cypress Drive alternative would have that road extending from its current location in the Baxter Industrial Park north across the railroad tracks and Highway 210 and north along the east side of the golf course and connect with Crow Wing County Road 49.

The benefits of the Cypress Drive extension included less congestion between Highway 371 and the current stoplights at Golf Course Road, which would be removed if Cypress Drive is extended; a parallel road for businesses located on Highway 371; and access for future expansion to the north and south.

The Crow Wing County Road 48 alternative, which for the past several years had been considered by Crow Wing County, would have the county road cross the railroad tracks and Highway 210 at Baxter Drive near the Westgate Mall.

Another element of the draft corridor, included with both alternatives, would be the extension of Laurel Street west to Cypress Drive.

Brainerd City Engineer Jeff Hulsether said the Crow Wing County Road 48 extension would be the preferred route for the city of Brainerd. He said it was Brainerd's opinion that it would be the most used route of the two alternatives and would alleviate congestion at the Northwest Fourth Street and Washington Street intersection.

Crow Wing County Highway Engineer Duane Blanck said the county hasn't taken a formal position on a railroad crossing route, only that it was important to have one to alleviate congestion.

D.J. Dondelinger, of Dondelinger Chevrolet Cadillac Inc., expressed a concern with having stoplights at the intersection of Cypress Drive and Highway 210. He said the stoplights might be too close to the Paul Bunyan trail overpass.

"Everyone leaves the stoplight at Kmart and it's a race over the hill and now they'll have to stop right away there," Dondelinger said.

Gary Dirlam, Minnesota Department of Transportation District 3 engineer, said the stoplights at Cypress Drive and Highway 210 would be high enough for motorists to see.

The biggest question, said Crow Wing County Board Chairman Gary Walters, is what is going to happen with Pine Meadows Golf Course. He said if it's developed it'll be the deciding factor of where the crossing goes.

"If the golf course is not there, it should be Cypress," Walters said.

The Utilities Commission made no recommendations on the draft corridor plan Tuesday. Baxter Public Works Director Trevor Walter said the corridor plan would probably be finished in April and then would be taken under advisement by the Crow Wing County Board and Baxter City Council. He said there was no time frame or cost figures established with the plan.

Rob Moser, utilities commission chairman, said planning roadway systems now was in the best interest of Baxter, Brainerd and Crow Wing County because of the area population growth.

"We wish there were an easy answer, an easy fix that could benefit the whole community," Moser said.

MATT ERICKSON can be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.