Corridor Planning Framework
This section further defines corridor plans, corridor plan types, and their place in the MnDOT project development process.
What is a Corridor Plan?
Corridor planning is a strategic and thorough approach to identifying issues and evaluating solutions to improve transportation systems in the context of a specific state highway corridor. Corridor planning enables MnDOT and its partners to identify needs for a given section of highway and opportunities to improve its function serving people, moving goods, and supporting communities.
The corridor planning process helps bridge the objectives established in the Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan (SMTP) with the projects MnDOT designs and constructs. Corridor planning supports MnDOT’s program delivery outcomes by identifying needs and evaluating solutions before project schedules and budgets are set.
Corridor plans can cover a range of geographic scales, from shorter local and regional highway segments to longer inter-regional or statewide systems. They are most helpful in situations where project and community needs are complex and/or unknown. Corridor planning helps MnDOT and communities identify issues before project solutions are identified.Corridor plans are intended to be developed and timed to support and integrate with MnDOT’s planning and project development process.
Corridor plans as described in the Guidebook comprise five process steps:
- Pre-Planning
- Background and Context
- Existing and Future Conditions Assessment
- Potential Solutions
- Implementation Plan
Public and partner agency engagement is conducted throughout the planning process.
Corridor Planning and the MnDOT Project Development Process
Corridor planning bridges policy direction and system plan outcomes with programming decisions for specific capital projects. As a general guide, corridor planning can be used to inform project selection prior to the 10-year Capital Highway Investment Plan (CHIP). It also helps inform scoping activities that occur before development of the four-year State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Corridor planning may occur earlier or later along the project development continuum, depending on plan type.
