When the 35W Bridge collapsed, MnDOT crews scrambled to add an extra lane on the I-94 detour route. That lane runs from 35W in Downtown Minneapolis to Highway 280 in St. Paul. On Wednesday, MnDOT engineers confirmed they're looking into the possibility of continuing that extra lane all the way to Downtown St. Paul.
"We'd be looking at having that fourth lane kind of like a price lane, like it is on I-394," MnDOT Freeway Operations Engineer Brian Kary said. "Part of the study is really going to look at the feasibility of it, see if it's physically possible to fit one out there," Kary explained. One concern would be if there would be enough space for road shoulders.
MnDOT says the MnPASS lane on I-394 has been successful moving mass transit and easing congestion on that heavily traveled corridor.
Kary says over the years, more and more people are traveling I-94 between the downtowns and now is a perfect time to look at future congestion complications.
Margee Johnson of Mendota Heights says she's often frustrated to sit in traffic in the Midway area. "I personally think it (MnPASS) would be a great saving of time, and for the money it'd be worth every dollar because for me it would be a great convenience," Johnson said.
Researchers will use an intricate set of loop detectors that are placed in the pavement of I-94. They're placed every 1/2 mile in each lane of the interstate. After gathering months of data, the agency will be able to determine what the traffic volume is after the 35W Bridge opens up.
Engineers will also research whether enough travelers would be willing to pay for a Min-pass to make the extra lane work.
"They're looking at either late spring or summer of next year to come up with a decision," Kary said.
(Copyright 2008 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)
