Most of us know the drive to the metro well, whether we use highways 169 or 371/210. Would Brainerd lakes residents favor replacing interchanges with stoplights in Princeton or Little Falls? Have we opposed freeway interchange upgrades in Elk River and St. Cloud?

Of course not, because we understand the purpose of a highway is to move people quickly and safely.

It was a mistake for highways 371 and 210 to meet at an at-grade intersection when the Brainerd bypass was completed 25 years ago. It would be a mistake today to not accept a future vision of Highway 371 as a freeway through Baxter's regional shopping district.

Matt Steele

Deerwood

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