Rethinking I-94 — Minneapolis to St. Paul

Project update — Alternatives recommendations sent to Cooperating Agencies for concurrence

In mid-September, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) sent the Alternatives Evaluation Memo to Cooperating Agencies which are Federal agencies requested to assist with the environmental process, for their review and agreement, also known as concurrence. The memo was also shared with Participating Agencies which include other Federal, state and local agencies with an interest in the project, for their information. The Alternatives Evaluation Memo details which alternatives are recommended to move forward for further study (No Build, Maintenance B, Reduced Freeway and Reconfigured Freeway) in the next phase of the project, the Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Cooperating Agencies have 21 days to review and provide agreement or reach out to MnDOT and FHWA to address any concerns.

MnDOT will prepare the Scoping Document/Draft Scoping Decision Document (SD/DSDD) once the Cooperating agencies provide concurrence on the alternatives evaluation. A draft of the document will be provided to these same agencies for comment. Following their review, MnDOT will make any needed revisions and will share the document with Community Leaders and the Policy Advisory Committee. The document will then be shared with the public. The public comment period on the SD/DSDD is anticipated to take place in late 2025/early 2026 and is expected to be open for 60 days. In addition to the public comment period, a public meeting will be held with a court reporter.

Visit the project StoryMap to learn more about the alternatives, their evaluation, and recommendations for further study in the Tier 1 EIS.

About

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Rethinking I-94 is a long-term effort to engage communities that live, work, commute and play along the corridor to promote effective movement of people and goods and a high quality of life for neighboring communities. In addition to enhancing mobility, safety, and connectivity, MnDOT is responsible for preserving and repairing bridges, walls, and pavement.

Rethinking I-94 improvements will support the broader community goals established for the project. Those goals include:

• Incorporating MnDOT's livability framework and identifying opportunities for establishing a sense of place, community connections, economic opportunities, equity, safety, and a healthy environment for the communities that live, work, and play there.
• 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.

We recognize the actions 60 years ago devastated communities, and those impacts are still felt today. This is the first comprehensive review of I-94 since its construction in the 1960s and is jointly conducted by MnDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Get involved

Interested in getting involved or providing feedback?

• Attend an upcoming meeting or outreach event
• Visit the StoryMap to learn more about the alternatives recommendations
• Sign up for email updates
• Read our Community Voices profiles
• Watch a past public meeting recording
• Leave a comment or question