MnDOT is looking ahead to the future of Hwy 36 in Roseville, Little Canada and Maplewood. This 8-mile segment of Hwy 36 is a vital east/west route for many, including commuters, shoppers, students and local residents. For people going north and south, crossing Hwy 36 can be inconvenient and require out-of-direction travel, especially by bike or on foot.
Our transportation system connects people to the places they want to go. People travel in all kinds of ways. Our transportation system must support all of the ways people travel. This study will take a holistic, all-encompassing approach to understanding the needs of people who travel along Hwy 36, as well as those who need to cross it. The study team will collect and analyze data for people traveling by multiple modes of travel—car, transit, bike, walking/rolling and those hauling freight.
The team will also ask for public input at community meetings, events and in surveys. Visit the meetings webpage and sign up for email updates for more information on how to give us your input.
Summary of work
Report on existing conditions
Ask people to share their transportation needs
Produce a document that identifies the issues and problems in the study area, called a purpose and need statement
Brainstorm new ideas for long-range improvements
Evaluate the ideas using an alternatives analysis, and get public input
Eliminate ideas that are unreasonable
Describe next steps to advance the most promising ideas
Why this study is needed
People use Hwy 36 for many reasons and in many different ways. Some are traveling through the area en route to other destinations. Some have destinations along Hwy 36. Some need to cross the highway to get to other destinations. People are walking, biking, hauling freight, riding transit, and driving. Each group has different needs for safety, access, mobility, comfort, and other aspects of travel. This study is needed to understand how the needs of people traveling in these different ways are related, and how the highway and its crossings are supporting those needs.
Minnesota’s transportation system connects people and businesses to their destinations within and outside the state. Hwy 36 is one segment of that system, but it carries people and goods from almost every zip code in Minnesota. The safe and efficient functioning of this roadway is in the interest of the entire state. This study is needed to ensure that Hwy 36 supports Minnesota’s long-term transportation goals for this community and beyond.
This study will address the goals of Ramsey County and the cities of Roseville, Little Canada, and Maplewood to improve the crossings of Hwy 36 for all users.
Study timeline
The study will occur over three phases:
Current phase: Phase 1 Purpose and Need (February – September 2023)
During Phase 1 the study team will collect and analyze data about the highway, including how people access it and cross it. This data will include a wide range of information, such as safety, surrounding land uses, pollution and air quality, access, economics, and climate impacts.
The study team will also ask the community for input on what their needs are for Hwy 36. Visit the meetings webpage and sign up for email updates for more information on how to give us your input.
Phase 1 goals:
Gain an understanding of the current conditions of Hwy 36 and begin to evaluate those conditions against long-term transportation goals for the cities, county and state.
Develop a deep, holistic understanding of the transportation needs of people who live and travel within, and through the study area. Provide people the opportunity to share their vision and ideas for future improvements that could meet those needs.
Examine how technical analyses and public input line up to reveal key areas where needs and concerns are compounded.
