Statement of Goals

Background

Rethinking I-94 is guided by the Purpose and Need Statement, Evaluation Criteria, and Statement of Goals.

The Purpose and Need Statement explains why MnDOT is undertaking this project and its objectives. It provides the basis for developing evaluation criteria, identifying a range of alternatives, and later selecting the preferred alternative.

The Evaluation Criteria are used to measure whether an alternative meets the project purpose and need and to measure social, economic, and environmental (SEE) impacts of an alternative.

The Statement of Goals is an avenue for MnDOT to incorporate its Livability Framework in the evaluation of alternatives. The Statement of Goals was created through community engagement and is not mandated by law. Nonetheless, the goals are important for developing and screening alternatives.

Identified goals

Beyond addressing identified transportation needs, the improvements will support broader community goals identified in Phase 1, which include:

• Incorporate the Livability Framework through the process to identify opportunities for establishing the following for the communities that live, work, gather, and play around the corridor:
  1. A sense of place
  2. Connectivity
  3. Economic vitality
  4. Equity
  5. Safety/security
  6. Public health and the environment
• Developing and executing a community-based approach focused on reconnecting neighborhoods, revitalizing communities, and ensuring residents have a meaningful voice in transportation decisions that affect their lives.

The statement of goals is a guiding document for developing and evaluating alternatives. Goals play a key role in advancing the vision of surrounding communities. They help identify additional interests beyond transportation that may require collaboration with partner agencies like the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.

Transportation improvements are expected to align with the Livability Framework, enhancing community connections for all modes of travel. These improvements aim to make traveling easier and safer for people and goods along the corridor. Projects may also offer opportunities for aesthetic enhancements that contribute to the area's sense of place. These activities will mainly occur later in the process, as MnDOT is currently focusing on developing a high-level corridor vision with limited design details.

Apart from leading I-94 transportation improvements, MnDOT will support initiatives driven by community and agency partners to achieve broader livability goals related to connectivity, economic vitality, equity, public health, environment, safety, sense of place, and trust.

Learn more about the Livability Framework developed in the Rethinking I-94 Phase 1 report (PDF).