Project Manager Newsletter
February 2025
Welcome to the February 2025 edition of the PM Newsletter. It is sunny outside as I write this which is nice to see however, I am really looking forward to warmer weather coming soon. Spring is right around the corner, right? (hopefully)
This month, I will give you all a project update. This includes updates on Phase 1A, upcoming engagement opportunities, and a reminder of what we are studying in the EIS.
Phase 1A:
At our Oct. 28 Policy Advisory Committee meeting, we recommended that Hwy 252 go over the local roadways at 85th Ave., Brookdale Dr., 73rd Ave., 70th Ave., and 66th Ave. After additional review, MnDOT is now formalizing this recommendation and moving forward into the next phase of the environmental process with this. Now we will look at where access will go on Hwy 252.
The reason for this recommendation includes fewer impacts to properties, minimizing the need to relocate community facilities. Both are consistent with the objectives established by the Policy Advisory Committee at the start of this environmental study. Additionally, going over local roads reduces stormwater impacts and reduces potential biological resources impacts.
MnDOT knows traffic noise is a tradeoff with this recommendation, and we will work to mitigate the increased noise with sound walls. Noise levels will be further evaluated in Phase 2 when we begin studying mainline options for Hwy 252 and I-94.
If you have any additional questions about the Phase 1A recommendation, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Upcoming engagement:
The Hwy 252/I-94 project team will be busy in the coming weeks and months with a packed calendar of engagement activities.
Below is a list of the engagement opportunities coming in the next few months. More information can be found on the project website.
- Table Talks – Safety was the topic on Feb. 26, 2025; these talks will occur as needed throughout 2025 with future topics including Phase 1B, air quality, and noise
- Community Office Hours – the fourth Thursday of each month at local businesses from 11 am to 1 pm; first one was Feb. 27 and the next one is March 27
- Policy Advisory Committee Meeting – targeting sometime in April
- Engagement for Phase 1B – beginning in May
What are the options on the table for the future of Hwy 252 in the EIS:
For those of you not familiar with the options developed during the scoping phase, which concluded in spring 2023, I have included the following to explain what we are and aren’t considering in the EIS on Hwy 252. We will also review these at the next PAC meeting in April.
- We are evaluating freeway options, as they:
- eliminate the stop and go traffic associated with signalized intersections
- decrease the amount of time spent in traffic on local streets and Hwy 252
- reduce the number of conflict points and crashes which will improve safety
- offer a better transit experience with E-ZPass lanes or bus only shoulders
- separate pedestrians from high-speed traffic
- We are not evaluating a six-lane expressway, as it:
- reduces Hwy 252 crash costs by 6% (freeways reduce Hwy 252 crash costs by 31-49%)
- increases crashes at 4 of the 6 intersections
- does not address rear end crashes (accounts for 67% of crashes on Hwy 252 from 2016-2019)
- still requires bicyclists and pedestrians to cross a high-speed facility
- We are not evaluating a four-lane low speed arterial, as it:
- reduces Hwy 252 crash costs by 19% (freeways reduce Hwy 252 crash costs by 31-49%)
- leads to more traffic diversion to local streets
- increases vehicle idling due to stop and go traffic at the intersections
- increases commute/transit times and congestion at the Hwy 252/I-94/I-694 interchange
- still requires bicyclists and pedestrians to cross a high-volume facility
Thank you all for your involvement in this important study and thanks for reading these newsletters. Feel free to reach out with any questions.
Question of the month
What improvements may be made to local streets?
As part of this study, local streets that intersect with Hwy 252 may see improvements that result from any additional traffic created by a new configuration. These improvements are under study as MnDOT works to develop a preferred alternative. Among the criteria for developing a preferred alternative are local roadway impacts. We will share more information as it becomes available.