Fall 2024 Public Open House, Albert Lea

A public open house event for the I-90/I-35 corridor study is scheduled for Oct. 23, 2024, to connect with community members and gather their input as the project team shared information on the area's existing conditions and potential alternatives.

Below you will find a summary of the materials and content to be presented during the event:

Project Overview: The Minnesota Department of Transportation is planning to replace the I-35 and I-90 bridges in 2030/2031. Before construction, MnDOT is conducting a corridor study at the I-35/I-90 and I-35/Main Street interchanges near Albert Lea. The project team is reviewing and evaluating alternative interchange options within the corridor. The project aims to improve safety and address aging infrastructure to provide a smoother, more effective travel experience for the community.

The I-35 & I-90 interchange is an important piece of our national infrastructure. It is the meeting point of the two interstates that are a part of the National Highway Freight Network. The eastbound and westbound bridges on I-90 were built in 1968.

While funds are only available to replace the bridges, MnDOT is investigating other safety and operational issues to determine if additional improvements are needed.

Potential Concerns Include:

• Weaving conflicts in the I-35 & I-90 interchange and on I-35 between Hwy 65 and I-90
• Rollovers and road departure crashes on the interchange loops and ramps
• Crashes on Main Street at the I-35 ramp intersections
• Truck acceleration at the northbound I-35 on-ramp from Main Street
• Condition of other bridges and drainage structures
• Blowing and drifting snow

Engagement Summary: From February through April 2024, MnDOT collected community feedback on people’s experiences traveling along the corridor and across the two I-90 bridges. During this initial stage of engagement, the public had several ways to provide comments and feedback, including a public meeting, an online interactive map, a survey, and a pop-up event.

Key Takeaways:

• Acceleration and deceleration concerns merging onto I-35 and I-90.
• Drifting snow and icy conditions are a concern as drivers struggle to get up and down the hill near Goose Lake.
• Reports and first-hand accounts of rollovers on the cloverleaf interchange.
• Community members requested a signal for safety and traffic flow on Main Street and the entrance and exit ramps to I-35.
• Request for “no access to interchange” signage on 770th Ave because drivers use the road as a detour when a crash or traffic delays occur on the interchange.

Virtual Engagement Opportunities:

• Survey
• Interactive Map

Alternative Design Options: The project team presented three alternative design options to the public and requested feedback on each design option. The first design was a variation of the existing cloverleaf interchange at I-35 and I-90. The second two design options aimed to improve the interchange of I-35 and Main Street. The public was asked to rate each option on a scale of “Very much does not meet my needs” to “Very much meets my needs” and fill out a corresponding comment card to provide more information.

I-35 / I-90 Cloverleaf Interchange:

• Buffer lanes move low speed merging traffic out of the through lanes
• Longer acceleration/deceleration at loops
• Improved curve design on ramps and loops
• Improved snow control

I-35 / Main Street Stop Light:

• Added signal to intersection of Main Street with I-35 southbound ramps
• Reduces delay at the worst intersection
• Traffic lane configuration is unchanged
• Minimal construction impacts

I-35 / Main Street Roundabouts:

• Single lane roundabouts at both I-35 ramp intersections with Main Street
• Provides the best delay reduction and safety improvements
• Requires roadway reconstruction