Request for Committee Action

2020-01259 - Rethinking I-94 Project
2024-01027 - Rethinking I-94 priorities

The objective of this Rethinking I-94 project update from the Minnesota Department of Transportation is to share progress completed to date as well as highlight important next steps.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has spent years engaging and listening to communities along the 7.5 miles of the Rethinking I-94 project. Phase 1 of Rethinking I-94 began with 2 years of listening to community about their vision in this area. Covering a wide range of community issues linked to transportation, the Livability Framework was developed out of that effort, which has now been incorporated as part of the project goals. The framework contains seven distinct categories that provide a foundational overview of what livability means to members of the community. Rethinking I-94 is in an environmental process that started in 2018 that will set a vision for I-94 from I-35W/Hwy 55 in Minneapolis to Marion St. in St Paul. Rethinking I-94 has the following project purpose, need, and goals:

Purpose

• Improve mobility for people and goods on, along, and across the corridor in a way that facilitates community connections for all modes
• Enhance safety for people and goods on, along, and across the I-94 corridor for all modes
• Address aging infrastructure condition within the I-94 corridor
• Support transportation objectives consistent with adopted state and regional (Met Council) plans

Needs

• Walkability and bikeability – comfort, mobility and risks for people walking, bicycling, and rolling
• Safety for people in motorized vehicles – cars, freight, and transit
• Infrastructure condition – state of repair
• Mobility for people in motorized vehicles – cars, freight, and transit

Goals

• a sense of place,
• connectivity,
• economic vitality,
• equity,
• safety/security, and
• public health and the environment

In 2020, the Minneapolis City Council approved a resolution outlining the City's priorities for the Rethinking I-94 project at that time and in 2024, the Minneapolis City Council approved a resolution that established updated City priorities for the Rethinking I-94 project process and outcomes – better aligning this major piece of transportation infrastructure with the City's equity, climate, and transportation goals. The Rethinking I-94 initiative is currently in its second phase which is a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that complies with both the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act (MEPA). A Tier 1 EIS is a broad, programmatic analysis of the environmental consequences of project alternatives throughout the entire corridor. This is a document where these alternatives are defined at a conceptual level and represent a range of possibilities.

Rethinking I-94 is currently in scoping. Scoping develops the purpose and need of the project, outlines evaluation criteria to evaluate alternatives, and then develops and evaluates those alternatives at a high level. Scoping is finalized by a public comment period and Scoping Decision Document. The Scoping Decision Document will recommend certain alternatives for a more detailed analysis as part of the Tier 1 EIS. Scoping is expected to be finalized in early 2026 and the Tier 1 EIS analysis is expected to last through 2029. The Tier 1 EIS will create a vision for I-94 and recommend a program of projects as part of an implementation plan. Construction plans would then be created as part of a Tier 2 EIS process for separate projects. There is no programmed funding for any construction project at this time.

City staff have been participating in various technical committees for this project and providing guidance and feedback based on City policy, pulling from Minneapolis 2040, the Transportation Action Plan, the Climate Action Plan and the Racial Equity Framework for Transportation. The FHWA and MnDOT are the lead agencies for the project and the City of Minneapolis as a Participating Agency. The lead agencies have final decision-making authority for the project. There is a Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) comprised of elected and appointed officials from cities and counties across the project area as well as the Metropolitan Council, MnDOT and FHWA. Representation from the City of Minneapolis includes Mayor Jacob Frey, Council Member Wonsley and Council Member Osman. Public Works and CPED staff represent the City on the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) as well as other various committees and working groups. These committees and working groups are advisory to the Lead Agencies for the project.