Overview
Location
- Bloomington and Richfield
Schedule
- Overall vision layout development: 2012
- Determine preferred overall concept: 2013
- Construction: to be determined
Description
- Determine overall vision layout and select Bus Rapid Transit layout
Cost
-
To be determined
About this project
The I-35W/I-494 interchange was constructed in the 1960s as part of the construction of the new I-494 corridor through the Twin Cities Metro area. The interchange is over capacity and experiences congestion on a daily basis, along with frequent crashes in the area. Improvements to the interchange are needed to enhance its capacity and safety, and address physical deterioration due to the age of the roadway and design. Growing travel demand along the I-494 corridor is expected to increase corridor congestion, reduce travel speeds and increase delays for longer periods of time for I-494 users. Reconstruction of the interchange will allow for future development in the area as well as potential transit opportunities.
Schedule
- 2012: MnDOT, the Federal Highway Administration, the Metropolitan Council and the cities of Bloomington and Richfield will develop over vision layout concepts
- 2013: The project team will refine the concepts and determine a preferred alternative
Description
- Release an RFP in 2012 to take MnDOT through the vision layout process and determine a preferred overall vision layout alternative for the area
- Generate and select a preliminary layout for an inline Bus Rapid Transit station on I-35W between 82nd Street and American Blvd.
- Extend lifespan of the roadway
- Allow for future transit enhancement