I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed Highway 371 and Highway 210 overpass project in Baxter. While safety and traffic flow are important, this project is a costly and disruptive solution to a problem that could be addressed more efficiently.

The estimated $60 million price tag is staggering, especially when simpler alternatives — like improved signal timing, slower speed limits and more speed enforcement — could achieve similar benefits at a fraction of the cost. This overpass will permanently alter the character of our community, increase noise pollution, and will harm nearby businesses by diverting traffic away from local access points.

There are over 100 businesses along this stretch of 371 that have voiced their concern of the negative impact of this project and, to this point, MnDOT has not seemed to care and continues to push the project forward.

My family owns the old Baxter CUB building, the strip mall with Dough Bro’s, the Cash Wise Building and the Holiday gas station and this project, as is, would decimate the access to our tenants. Some of which have already expressed concerns and have told us they are looking for a new location. One tenant has asked to go to a month to month lease as they search for alternatives.

My first choice would be for the project to not happen at all, save $60 million, and attempt to address the problems with slower speed limits and more speed enforcement. If the project is destined to move forward, the concerns of the businesses need to be addressed with a new design that allows access back to the local businesses that have supported the community for generations. My largest concern is getting access back at Design Drive somehow and other businesses have other concerns that need to be addressed.

I urge MnDOT and local leaders to reconsider this plan and explore more fiscally responsible, community-friendly alternatives. Let’s prioritize smart growth and thoughtful infrastructure — not massive concrete projects that serve cars more than people.

Chris Quisberg
S&R Quisberg, Baxter