TH 200 Corridor Improvements – Mahnomen County, MN

TH 200 is the primary east-west route within the White Earth Reservation, connecting predominantly tribal communities with the two largest employers on the reservation: Shooting Star Casino and Event Center and the tribal government. The highway is frequently used by agricultural equipment, heavy freight, and White Earth Public Transit.

Addressing Non-Vehicular Traffic

Although the daily volume of traffic on this section of trunk highway is relatively low compared to other two-lane roadways, the ratio of pedestrian/bicyclist to vehicular traffic is relatively higher. In addition to bike and pedestrian traffic, Amish communities travel this section of highway in their horse and buggies or carts.

Shoulder Widening

The average shoulder width along the TH 200 corridor was two feet with very steep in-slopes. Because of the vertical profile, most of the corridor was designated as a no passing zone. The narrow shoulders also did not provide enough space for slow moving agricultural equipment, bicyclists, or carriages to pull over and allow other vehicles to pass in a safe manner.

This project widened shoulders to safely serve multiple modes of traffic, including bicyclists and pedestrians, which are the two most common means of travel on the reservation. The widened shoulders also help to preserve the existing road structure where in-slopes were beginning to shear off.

Design of Improvements

SRF developed the environmental document required by FHWA and completed preliminary and final design of the shoulder widening and corridor improvements for three segments along the 20-mile project corridor.

In addition to the shoulder widening, other improvements included:

• Construction of three new right-turn lanes
• Construction of an inspection lane for the Minnesota State Patrol
• Construction of a paved path along Roy Lake Park
• Replacement of a box culvert with a bridge at Twin Lakes Creek to mitigate annual flooding conditions

Community Engagement Key to Success

SRF worked with representatives from White Earth Nation and MnDOT to host a public input meeting at the Rice Lake Community Center. They were able to gather valuable information from tribal and non-tribal attendees about concerns along the project corridor and proposed alternatives around Roy Lake. MnDOT and SRF were also invited to White Earth Nation’s State of the Band Address, which was attended by more than 1,000 people. The event was another opportunity to notify community members of the project and allow individuals who travel the corridor on a daily basis to identify concerns along TH 200.

Resource Links:
White Earth Nation
Minnesota Department of Transportation

Internal Category:
Roadway Design
ADA Planning and Design
Multimodal Planning and Design

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