Project Manager Newsletter
October 2024
Welcome to the October edition of the PM Newsletter. Happy Halloween!
We had our Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting on Mon, Oct. 28. The project Team presented our findings, analysis and feedback from the public this summer as we determine whether Hwy 252 should go over or under local roads – also known, as Phase 1A of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This is the first of a set of decisions we need to make in the coming months, including eventually access along Hwy 252 and number of lanes.
I want to thank everyone who attended and wrote in their questions or comments. I also want to thank the PAC members for the robust discussion. It certainly makes clear to us what priorities are important to our local partners, and I want to assure you that we share those priorities, as well.
We’ve heard from partners and strongly agree that equity is just as important as safety, mobility and improving public transit. Hwy 252 has long-known safety issues that MnDOT is working to address.
Specifically, MnDOT is trying to find solutions for improved walkability/bikeability, vehicle safety, and mobility. Currently, pedestrians, bicyclists and others face significant challenges to cross both Hwy 252 and I-94, and experience safety issues that arise from sharing space and time with vehicles on a high-speed highway.
We are also working to improve the high rates of fatal and serious injury crashes. Mobility is meant to address the operations of both highways during peak hours of travel. Mobility also addresses the need for transit with an expected increase in ridership.
MnDOT is just a few months into the environmental review process required by federal law. As we continue studying decisions, including the location of potential interchanges, we will be working to determine the impacts and benefits of each option, communicating those transparently with the PAC and community and looking for ways to mitigate impacts and concerns.
We want to be clear – moving forward with any project on 252 will require solutions that the cities of Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Minneapolis and MnDOT can all agree on collaboratively and we’ll continue working through challenges together.
Make sure to encourage your friends and neighbors to sign up for project email updates, as we have several upcoming engagement opportunities, including a Nov. 13 virtual public meeting where we will share with the public our recommendations for Phase 1A.