Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Hwy 371 at Co. Rd. 29 — Nisswa, Pequot Lakes

Wilderness Rd. (Co. Rd. 107), Crow Wing County

About this project

Improve access and safety on Hwy 371 at Crow Wing Co. Rd. 29/Wilderness Rd. (Co. Rd. 107) in Nisswa and Pequot Lakes.

Project map
Project located at the intersection of Hwy 371 and Co. Rd. 29/Wilderness Rd. (Co. Rd. 107) Select map image to enlarge (PNG)

Summary of work

J-turns

  • North end: Construct a median J-turn north of Wilderness Rd. from northbound Hwy 371
  • South end: Construct median J-turn south of Co. Rd. 29 (1,200 ft) from southbound Hwy 371
  • Extend shoulders, known as loons, to assist with wider turn movements

Intersection

  • Limit movements to right in/right out only, except for allowing northbound Hwy 371 left turn to Co.Rd. 29
  • Remove southbound Hwy 371 left turn to Wilderness Rd. (Co. Rd. 107)
  • Adjust ditch drainage, includes pipes
  • Install intersection lighting
  • Add sidewalk in the median to connect the Paul Bunyan State Trail to Co. Rd. 29

Draft layout concept

Photo of the State Paul Bunyan Trail bridge along northbound Hwy 371 and connected to Wilderness Rd.

J-turns have proven to reduce serious and fatal right-angle crashes, also knows as T-bones, at intersections. Drivers are able to focus on one direction at a time when navigating the intersection.

How to use J-turns

  1. Stop and yield to vehicles in both lanes to your left
  2. Crossover into the lane in the median
  3. Yield to vehicles in both lanes to your right
  4. Make a J-turn and head toward your destination
  5. Either continue through the intersection or turn right

More tips

  • Larger vehicles may use the extended shoulder loons - Longer, larger vehicles and farm machinery may use the shoulder to complete their U-turn
  • Yield to oncoming traffic - When you are completing the U-turn, you must yield to oncoming traffic and stop, if necessary
  • Turn right, move left - When making the right turn, cross both lanes and move into the left-turn lane in one motion

Learn more about J-turns in Minnesota

Luke Wehseler
Project Development Manager
Luke.Wehseler@state.mn.us
218-821-0618

Central Region Communications - District 3
Jenny Seelen, jenny.seelen@state.mn.us, 218-820-6820
LeAnn Goltz, leann.goltz@state.mn.us, 218-232-6753

Photo of Hwy 371 J-turn on Hwy 371 in Pequot Lakes just north of the Pedestrian Trail bridge over the road.
J-turn on Hwy 371 in Pequot Lakes. Select image to enlarge (PNG)