Step 1. Pre-Planning
The intent of Step 1 is to clarify the corridor plan’s purpose and inform the scope of work. This task is expected to be completed by MnDOT. Staff are encouraged to document brief responses to each question based on current knowledge and understanding and initial conversation with project partners. Items that are unknown may be incorporated into the scope of work for further investigation.
Pre-Planning Questions
- Plan Type. What type of corridor plan is being prepared?
- Corridor Project Plan
- Corridor Vision Plan
- Regional Corridor Vision Plan
- Location and Context. What is the corridor length and location?
- Corridor location, endpoints, length
- Brief description of known physical features (general typical section, bridges, topography, anything unusual or unique worth noting)
- General description of adjacent land use (rural, urban, suburban, or a combination)
- Economic activities or specific land uses that depend on the corridor (major businesses, schools, medical facilities, excavation, etc.)
- Are there any Limited Use Permits for off-highway vehicles, snowmobiles, etc., in place?
- Review study endpoints with relevant local agencies and modify as indicated to support coordination with upcoming local plans or projects
- Does the nature of the corridor suggest the area of influence may extend beyond the corridor itself such that a network analysis may be needed?
- Purpose. Why is the plan being prepared?
- Key issues and needs that triggered the decision to fund the plan (may reference the Corridor Planning Prioritization Process)
- Any previous relevant plans or studies? Has a Context Guide been prepared for this corridor?
- Any projects, decisions or other priorities (such as local, regional, or state policies) identified by others
- Are there corridor improvements identified in the STIP or CHIP?
- In what ways does the corridor cause burdens in this community and are there ways to address these during this planning process?
- Intended Results. What are the intended plan outcomes?
- Scope and scale of anticipated deliverables and analyses related to implementation timeline
- Plan’s role within MnDOT project development process, including relation to NEPA/MEPA
- Responses should reflect plan type (Corridor Project Plan, Corridor Vision Plan, Regional Corridor Vision Plan)
- Partner Agency and Public Engagement. Who will be involved in the planning process?
- Identify partner agencies and key interests or concerns, if known
- Identify any key questions, expressed concerns, or unknowns with respect to public engagement
- If known, identify intended agency engagement groups or strategies (PMT, TAC, etc.)
- If known, identify types and timing of desired public engagement activities (community workshops, open houses, pop up events, etc.), adjusted to corridor plan type
- Schedule and Budget. What are the schedule and budget parameters?
- What is the estimated or target planning process duration and/or schedule drivers?
- Are there needs related to the timing or expiration of funds for the study?
- Relation to Corridor Planning Prioritization Process
- How is information about the corridor identified in MnDOT’s Corridor Scoring Tool used or incorporated into the study? Criteria with particularly high scores should be highlighted in the plan.