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 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 or benefits associated with an alternative.

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. The Statement of Goals was created through community engagement and is not mandated by law. Nonetheless, the goals identified are important for developing and screening alternatives.

Community goals

Beyond addressing identified transportation needs, improvements to I-94 will support the following goals identified in Phase 1:

• Incorporate the Community Goals through the process and 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. Access to transportation
  5. Safety/security
  6. Quality of life
• 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.

Transportation improvements are expected to align with the identified Community Goals. 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 Community Goals related to sense of place, connectivity, economic vitality, access to transportation, safety/security and quality of life.