Transportation
The Headwaters RDC’s role in solving regional transportation issues takes many forms. At our core, we utilize our partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to work on regionally significant planning or development projects in transportation. We serve as transportation experts for our small town staff, facilitators when communities need problems solving, and planners for a safe and reliable transportation network. We engage local engineers, elected officials, and residents on planning projects aimed at improving our streets, highways, trails, and sidewalks. However, you get from A to B, we are working on making it safer and more reliable.
MnDOT Transportation
The HRDC plays another role, representing our region in planning and development through partnerships with MnDOT and others.
- We represent regional interests in the Area Transportation Partnerships organized by MnDOT, which decide how certain Federal funds are allocated within Northwest Minnesota.
- We also help connect our small towns to the Transportation Alternative Program - funding sources for trails and sidewalks.
- The HRDC is part of the statewide Safe Routes to School program, helping school districts plan and implement safer walking and biking for our children.
We stay engaged in partnerships relating to bicycling, walking, freight, and safety; so that the needs of our communities are best represented in state transportation planning.
Tony Klaers
Community Development Planner
tklaers@hrdc.org
218-333-6541
MnDOT Resource Links
Safe Routes to School
In the fall of 2019, MnDOT announced that they would be offering an Engineering Study Grant to communities that had previously completed SRTS plans. In January of 2020, Beltrami County and Mahnomen County were awarded these Engineering Study Grants to explore options to improve the pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure within their communities.
For Beltrami County, the grant is to explore the downtown of Bemidji to the newly built Gene Dillion Elementary. This study aims to find ways to reduce the vehicle traffic before and after school to both Gene Dillion and Bemidji High School by increasing the number of students able to safely travel on foot or bike. The map provides an overview of the SRTS East and West Segments near Gene Dillon that have been proposed to improve accessibility and safety walking and biking to school.
For Mahnomen County, the engineering study awarded to the Naytahwaush community is ultimately seeking funds for infrastructure improvements. One goal is to coordinate with school staff, the SRTS Advisory Committee, as well as other key stakeholders, to identify current travel patterns, pick-up/drop-off operations, and other key information associated with school operations and pedestrian/bicycle data. This will help understand issues, barriers, and what works and doesn’t work for their school. This study will also help continue to bring our SRTS Committee to meet as well as other key stakeholders.
Tony Klaers
Community Development Planner
tklaers@hrdc.org
218-333-6541
Safe Routes To School Resource Link
What is SHIP?
North Country Health Alliance (NCHA) is a collaborative that works together with local public health departments in Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard and Lake of the Woods counties. NCHA implements the Minnesota Department of Health’s Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) in the North Country. NCHA is working to change policies, systems and environments so healthy choices are possible where our residents live, work, learn and play.
NCHA and SHIP work in our region to create partnerships that lead to increased access to healthy foods and active living while decreasing commercial tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure. These efforts have led to more workplace, school and community settings having fresh fruits and vegetables available to their employees and students as well as increased opportunities for physical activity. There are safer pathways for walking and biking and more environments that have become smoke-free.
This is North Country Health Alliance's (NCHA) 11th year as a Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) grantee. This past year, NCHA worked with 32 partner sites in Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard and Lake of the Woods counties. These partners helped make active living, healthy eating and tobacco-free living easier and more accessible for all residents. If you are interested in knowing more about SHIP, please click the link to access the SHIP Annual Report.
Tony Klaers
Community Development Planner
tklaers@hrdc.org
218-333-6541
SHIP Resource Link
Scenic Byways
The HRDC took on an additional role this year, helping the Lake Country Scenic Byway (LCSB) update their Corridor Management Plan (CMP) and update the corridor management map. The CMP Update for the Lake Country Scenic Byway provides the future vision for the Byway and serves as a guide for management, future development, and enhancement of the Byway’s intrinsic qualities. The CMP Update will specifically address safety, signage and visual management, identifies current and updated intrinsic resources and viewsheds, and lists projects for future improvements.
The Lake Country Scenic Byway Association is composed of members of the Park Rapids, Detroit Lakes, and Walker Chambers of Commerce, as well as individuals committed to preservation of the natural qualities of the byway. With this committee, bi-weekly and weekly meetings took place in order to complete the steps that were needed in finishing the CMP. The ultimate goal for the Lake Country Scenic Byway is to be designated as a National Scenic Byway. To learn more about the Lake Country Scenic Byway and to view the corridor map visit: www.lakecountryscenicbyway.com
Tony Klaers
Community Development Planner
tklaers@hrdc.org
218-333-6541
Scenic Byways Resource Link
Regional Transportation Coordinating Council
Coordination between transportation providers and service agencies is a strategy that can help fill transportation gaps by providing more rides using the same or fewer resources, making transportation easier to use and giving customers more options of where and when to travel.
Tammi Hagen
Mobility Manager
thagen@hrdc.org
218-333-6536
Transportation Coordination Plan
2022 Local Human Service Transportation Coordination Plan
The HRDC, in partnership with MnDOT, worked in coordination with Local Agencies, Public Transit Providers, Non-profits, and Community Members on the Local Human Service Transportation Coordination Plan (LCP). The LCP is designed to review transportation for the region, setting goals and strategies to move into actionable activities, identifying strengths and areas of improvement for the region’s transportation system, as well as identifying gaps in services. This plan provides the region with a framework for the next five years.
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Tony Klaers
Community Development Planner
tklaers@hrdc.org
218-333-6541