MnDot Announces New I-494, I-94, Highway 169 Projects

TWIN CITIES, MN — The Minnesota Department of Transportation Wednesday awarded a total of $417 million to four projects as part of the "Corridors of Commerce" program.

The projects, intended to improve the state transportation system in ways that specifically support Minnesota’s economy, will begin during the next four years.

“Since 2013, the Corridors of Commerce program has funded projects that are important to the health of our transportation system and business climate, but not afforded in our four-year transportation investment plan,” said MnDOT Commissioner Charlie Zelle in a statement.

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“The selected projects will enhance the movement of freight and people in the regions where these projects are located which will aid the economy and reduce congestion.”

The four projects receiving Corridors of Commerce funding in 2018 are:

Highway 169 in Elk River (Greater Minnesota) – estimate up to $157 million

The proposed project will construct interchanges at Main Street and School Street, 193rd Avenue, and a partial interchange at 197th Avenue.

Project submitted by Justin Femrite, Elk River city engineer.

35W-94 Construction: Closures, Detours You Need To Know About

Interstate 494, France Avenue to Highway 77 (Metro District) – estimate up to $134 million

This project will construct a MnPASS lane on Interstate 494 from France Avenue to Highway 77 in the eastbound direction and a MnPASS lane from Highway 77 to I-35W in the westbound direction.

The proposed project is intended to improve the capacity of the interstate and dramatically improve the reliability of the average rush hour trip.

Project submitted by Tony Fischer, Metropolitan Council.

Interstate 494, Bush Lake Road to Interstate 35W (Metro District) – estimate up to $70 million

This project will construct the first phase of a turbine interchange that includes a direct ramp from northbound I-35W to westbound I-494 traffic.

The I-35W at I-494 interchange ranks as one of the worst traffic bottlenecks in the nation.

The proposed project is intended to improve interstate capacity and reduce crashes.

Project submitted by Karl Keel, City of Bloomington public works director.

Interstate 94, St. Michael to Albertville (Greater Minnesota) – estimate up to $56 million

This project will expand I-94 from four to six lanes between Highway 241 in St. Michael and County Road 19 in Albertville.

The proposed project is intended to improve the capacity of the interstate by adding a third lane in each direction and make interchange improvements at Highway 241 and at county roads 37 and 19 in Albertville.

Project submitted by several people including Steve Bot (St. Michael city engineer), Adam Flaherty (Otsego city administrator), and Adam Nafstad (Albertville city administrator).

Also read: Minnesota Road Construction 2018: Full List Of Metro Projects

Lead image via Minnesota Department of Transportation