Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Highway 252/I-94 Environmental Review

Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park and Minneapolis

Traffic noise analysis and noise barriers

Traffic noise and traffic noise impacts were frequently cited as a concern in public comments. This feedback was a primary factor in recommending certain Hwy 252 interchange configurations for further study in 2024-2025.

Noise level conditions for existing and potential design options will be studied as part of the proposed Hwy 252/I-94 project in Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center and Minneapolis. These noise levels will be analyzed to see which areas along the project area exceed the Federal noise standards. For areas where noise standards are exceeded, noise reduction techniques such as noise walls will be analyzed to see if they meet the necessary noise reduction and cost effectiveness criteria. For areas that meet the necessary criteria, a noise wall proposal will be developed, and eligible property owners and residents will be contacted to participate in a voting process. Eligible properties are ones that would receive a five decibel or higher reduction in sound from a noise wall. They will be able to vote for or against any proposed noise wall before it moves forward for construction as a part of the project.

Air quality

Air quality was frequently cited as a concern in public comments in the previous phase of the study. We have conducted a Mobile Source Air Toxic (MSAT) Analysis in the Draft EIS which can be found in chapter 3 of the state and federal DEIS.

A project-level analysis of carbon monoxide levels will study the current high-volume intersections on Hwy 252 that are considered CO hotspots. This analysis will help the region remain below thresholds for CO pollution. We will also prepare a greenhouse gas analysis as part of the design options evaluation.

Watch the recording from the air quality table talk.