PL COUNCIL VOTES FOR BYPASS

The Pequot Lakes City Council approved the around-town route for the expansion of Highway 371 at Tuesday night's meeting. The council voted 4 to 1 in favor of the resolution. Officials expect construction on the highway to start in eight years. Councilman Tom Ryan was the lone vote against the bypass and said "if we take the emotion out of the decision, the through-town route should prevail." Councilman Craig Nagel told the Brainerd Dispatch that he had been divided on the issue for some time but expanding the highway through the middle of town was like "putting a driveway through your living room." MnDOT will ask the council for an official 'municipal consent' degree early next year.