The work done by MnDOT to improve automobile traffic and prevent further accidents at the intersection of County 4 and Highway 34 is to be commended. However, in improving one hazardous condition, it seems MnDOT has created another.
Park Rapids is an attractive area for winter recreation and snowmobiling is no exception. With the first snowstorms of the season, I had the rare opportunity to blaze new trails in the fresh powder. The areas I traveled were the same ones I've traveled for years, including the area in question.
Why didn't MnDOT place some type of warning marking the piles of boulders that they placed in the ditches surrounding this intersection? This area is well traveled by snowmobilers and I'm quite certain I'll not be the last one that falls prey to this unsafe condition.
Thankfully I only suffered little injury to my wrist. My snowmobile however sustained considerable damage.
This was an oversight on the part of MnDOT I'm sure. I just want to warn other snowmobilers of this hazard and my plea to MnDOT is that they mark these areas as soon as possible.
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Michael Day
Park Rapids
