ST. PAUL— Six local Chambers of Commerce (Bloomington, Burnsville, Eden Prairie, Edina, Minneapolis, and Richfield) have passed resolutions calling for improvements to the intersection of Interstate 35W and 494. The move comes as negotiations for a compressive transportation plan continue at the Legislature. Representative Linda Slocum (DFL-Richfield, Bloomington) and Senator Melissa Wiklund (DFL-Richfield, Bloomington) are Chief Authors of the bills in the State House and Senate to begin the improvements.
“Anyone who has to traveled through the 494 and 35W interchange knows the interruptions and headaches it causes every day,” said Representative Slocum. “This is a massive problem for the entire region. The delays here frustrate residents, slow down shipping, and put drivers at greater risk for accidents. The traffic problems at 494 and 35W hurt businesses and disrupt the community. No one benefits from inaction on transportation.”
The 35W/494 interchange is the busiest interchange in Minnesota, and ranks among the most congested in the state and in the country. The Federal Highway Administration called it one of the nation’s 20 worst highway bottlenecks. The interchange has immense regional significance and 21 percent of metro area jobs are along the Interstate 494 corridor. Only minor design enhancements have occurred since its construction in the 1950s, while the increase in traffic and jobs in the area have skyrocketed. Interstates 35W and 494 are economic engines for the metropolitan area and beyond. The intersection of these two interstates is in dire need of an overhaul.
The resolutions by the local Chambers of Commerce correspond with legislative priorities of the 35W Solutions Alliance and the I-494 Corridor Commission. The I-494 Corridor Commission is a joint powers organization established in 1986 to address concerns about increasing traffic congestion along the I-494 Corridor. The commission works to encourage economic growth and regional prosperity through improved transportation options.
Last summer the I-494 Corridor Commission recognized Rep. Slocum for her years of advocacy to improve the 494 corridor.
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