On July 18, the Minnesota Department of Transportation unveiled ten alternative designs for a seven and a half mile stretch of Interstate 94 from Marion St. near downtown St. Paul to Highway 55/Hiawatha Avenue in Minneapolis. This was the latest step in its “Rethinking I-94” project that began in 2016.

Learn more about the project here: Rethinking I-94 — Minneapolis to St. Paul | MnDOT (state.mn.us)

The ten alternatives for this stretch of I-94 break down into four categories: expansion, preservation, reduction, elimination.

The latter two categories could create significant impediments for commercial and general travel through and within the Twin Cities. An analysis of traffic impacts on other major east-west corridors (Highway 36, Highway 62, I-494/694) is not provided.

Below is a brief explanation of the ten alternatives. The italicized terms within each category below are the titles of the alternatives as presented by MnDOT.

You can weigh in on the alternatives by completing MnDOT’s survey: Rethinking I-94 — Minneapolis to St. Paul | Let’s Talk Transportation – MnDOT (state.mn.us)

Expansion: maintains or expands the number of general purpose lanes, adds BRT lane, complete roadway rebuild.

Expanded Freeway A: maintains 3-4 general purpose lanes and adds a “managed lane” for BRT and EZ-pass in each direction

Expanded Freeway B: adds a new general purpose lane in each direction and extends shoulders for BRT

Preservation: retains largely the same configuration as the current freeway.

General Maintenance: no change in lanes, transit, interchanges or crossings; general maintenance

Maintenance A: no change in lanes, transit, interchanges or crossings; more in-depth maintenance

Maintenance B: roadway is entirely rebuilt but no change in the number of lanes; shoulders are expanded to accommodate bus rapid transit (BRT) in this section

Reduction: complete rebuild; maintains a freeway with a reduced number of travel lanes.

Local/Regional Roadways A: reduces the freeway to two general purpose lanes in each direction and creates at-grade two-way local roads on the north and south side of the freeway

Reconfigure Freeway A: reduces the freeway to three general purpose lanes and one BRT lane in each direction

Reduced Freeway A: reduces I-94 to two general purpose and one BRT lane in each direction

Elimination: removes I-94 and replaces it with at-grade roadway with dedicated BRT lane.

At-Grade A: removes and fills in I-94, creates a roadway with two vehicles lanes and one BRT lane in each direction; adds pedestrian and bike pathway; BRT is located on interior of roadway

At-Grade B: removes and fills in I-94, creates a roadway with two vehicles lanes and one BRT lane in each direction; adds pedestrian and bike pathway; BRT is located on exterior of roadway

See Complete Option Details Here: Alternatives | Rethinking I-94 — Minneapolis to St. Paul | MnDOT (state.mn.us)

In addition to completing the MnDOT survey, you can reach out to the department with any comments, concerns, or questions by sending an email to: rethinkingI94project.dot@state.mn.us.

Feel free to also share any feedback with NFIB Minnesota State Director John Reynolds at john.reynolds@nfib.org or 651-293-1283.