2019.01.23 CC Packet - Goal Setting Session

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SUPPORT FOR PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE 1-94/494/694 SYSTEM INTERCHANGE Position: Washington County supports the Minnesota Department of Transportation in developing regional partnerships in their efforts to plan and construct both short term and long term improvements to the 1-94/494/694 System Interchange area. Issue: The 1-94 Corridor in the east metro is a vital link between the Twin Cities to Chicago and the East Coast. Each day, due to the outdated cloverleaf design, this interchange experiences substantial congestion as nearly 113,000 vehicles merge and weave across multiple lanes. Additionally, the design does not accommodate the significant amount of freight traffic that uses it. The result is a poor safety record with a 45 percent increase in crashes over a five year period and a total of 517 crashes between 2011 and 2016. In 2019 and 2020 MnDOT will be working with the county and cities to implement a $30 million project on bridge preservation, safety and mobility improvements at the system interchange. The design will improve the mobility and safety of the weave section between the loops and the southbound 494/694 freeway through lanes. Specifically these improvements will include: • Replace and widen north and southbound bridges to improve bridge condition and safety • Pavement replacement • New southbound auxiliary lanes from 10th to 1-94 and from 1-94 to Tamarack Road to improve mobility • New north and southbound "Buffer Lanes' to improve mobility and safety • Rebuild ramp to improve safety Beginning in early 2019, MnDOT is also working on a Visioning Study for the system interchange. This study will develop a strategic vision and determine improvements needed to develop an interchange that will eliminate congestion, and provide safe and efficient movement of vehicles and freight. The study will evaluate traffic volumes including heavy vehicle volumes and classifications, current hours of congestion, impacts and barriers to freight movement, traffic safety, development potential and impacts to economic development and will be coordinated with the Gateway Corridor Gold Line project. It is expected that the outcome of this planning effort will be a series of recommended improvements to the system interchange, including fly -over ramps, expected to cost in excess of $200 million. Support and Opposition: Supported by Washington and Ramsey Counties, City of Woodbury, and City of Oakdale. There is no known opposition to these efforts. No Action: Partnerships and support for these efforts is important to ensure successful planning and construction of these improvements. Financial Implications: MnDOT funds are being used at this time. 23