Dear neighbors,
I wanted you to be aware of this "Action Alert" from the I-94 West Corridor Coalition. Please follow the instructions below and contact MNDOT to support expansion of I-94 between Highway 101 (Rogers) and Highway 241 (St. Michael).
Thank you.
David
Minnesota I-94 West Corridor Coalition
MnDOT is seeking public comments and suggestions for projects to be funded by the Corridors of Commerce Program.
We urge you to contact MnDOT in support I-94 capacity expansion between Highway 101 and Highway 241.
Submit suggestions online, by email or phone: Matt Shands 651-3664893
Projects will be evaluated on criteria fulfillment. Below are criteria that I-94 meets and exceeds.
Return on Investment:
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I-94 is one of the most congested roadways in the Interregional Corridor System.
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40% of the congestion on the Interregional Corridor occurs on a 50 mile stretch between Highway 101 in Rogers and Highway 23 in St. Cloud.
Improvements to Traffic Safety
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The crash and severity rate is significantly higher than the state average. Many accident victims require helicopter evacuation due to the congestion of the roadway.
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I-94 is the main evacuation route for the Monticello Nuclear Plant, yet it cannot even handle traffic demands during normal, everyday situations.
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The National Guard uses alternate routes to avoid I-94 traffic delays also putting undue stress on local road systems.
Improvement to Freight Movement
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Serving as both the primary link to St. Cloud and the only freight corridor to North Dakota, I-94 is a vital economic artery for the Upper Midwest.
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GNP Company, makers of Gold n' Plump Chicken, estimates that it loses $250,000 annually due to traffic delays on Interstate 94.
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Spee Dee Delivery estimates that it loses $200,000 annually in traffic delays on I-94.
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King Solutions has been forced to adjust their delivery schedules to avoid delays and financial losses due to congestion on I-94.
Connections to Regional Trade Centers
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I-94 serves thousands of consumers on their way to both the Albertville Outlet Mall and St. Cloud.
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Thousands of vacationers and cabin owners travel to the lake country via I-94 every summer weekend; most structure their weekend plans to avoid delays and backups on I-94.
Community Support
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Businesses and political leaders in local communities have united in an effort to expand I-94 capacity.
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Individuals are actively submitting how I-94 congestion affects their daily lives to the greenlight94.com website.
Project Readiness
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Preliminary steps to make the I-94 project a reality have been taken; the right of way between Highway 101 and Highway 241 is under the control of MnDOT, and the environmental impact statements have already been completed. The I-94 project is ready for construction and could be added to the construction schedule as soon as funding is in place.
As stated above, project suggestions and comments can be made at: www.mndot.gov/corridorsofcommerce
or email:
corridorsofcommerce.dot@state.mn.us
or call:
Matt Shands at 651-366-4893