4th Street South Ramp to Northbound I-35W, Hennepin County Project 1105, City of Minneapolis

 

Last Updated:  03-08-13

 

Update: Project Timeline and Public Involvement sections have been updated.

 

Introduction

 

The project team consists of Hennepin County, Mn/DOT and the City of Minneapolis, with Hennepin County serving as the lead agency.

 

The proposed project is intended to relieve congestion on Washington Avenue South and reduce traffic diversion to the University Avenue/4^th Street SE interchange, thus improving motor vehicle and transit access to NB I-35W from downtown Minneapolis, and improving safety and operations for all transportation modes at the northbound I-35W ramps at Washington Avenue South and University Avenue/4^th Street SE. These improvements will allow the region to capitalize on the new capacity of the recently replaced I-35W/Mississippi River Bridge and encourage economic growth and stability for the area.

 

The project consists of two distinct improvements:

• Construction of a new ramp to northbound I-35W at 4^th Street South
• Construction of an auxiliary lane from University Avenue SE to the Stinson Blvd NE exit

 

Proposed Improvements - 4^th Street and I-35W Interchange

 

The project includes the construction of a new entrance ramp from 4^th Street South to NB I-35W, including a new eastbound to northbound double left turn lane from 4^th Street South. The new ramp will enter mainline I-35W into a modified lane accomplished by reducing the TH 55 entrance to NB I-35W from two lanes to one, thus allowing the other lane to be used by traffic from the new I-35W entrance ramp from 4^th Street South. The new construction on 4^th Street South will connect to the roadway improvements to the east constructed for the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit project.

 

Proposed Improvements - I-35W Auxiliary Lane

 

The project provides an auxiliary traffic lane from University Avenue SE to the Stinson Boulevard NE exit. Auxiliary lanes are located at the outer edge of the roadway for use in speed change, lane weaving, maneuvering of entering and exiting traffic, truck climbing, and other purposes supplementary to through traffic. Auxiliary lanes generally extend from one entrance ramp to an exit ramp and allow drivers more decision time to make maneuvers onto or off of the freeway. In general terms, one can think of an auxiliary lane as a place that allows drivers to enter the freeway directly into a temporary lane and/or exit in a temporary lane with more decision time than a traditional ramp connection.

 

The auxiliary lane proposed for this project requires some pavement widening and as a result, retaining walls. Shoulder areas will be reduced due to right of way constraints. The additional lane improves the ability to provide, and does not preclude, a future managed lane on northbound I-35W such as a HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lane or MnPass lane.

 

The project proposes consolidation of northbound exit ramps directly connected to I-35W on the north end of the project. Today there are two ramps. The first northbound I-35W exit ramp on the north end of the project after crossing under the Hennepin Avenue bridge is the joint Stinson Boulevard/New Brighton Boulevard exit ramp. The second northbound 35W exit ramp after crossing under the Hennepin Avenue bridge is the Johnson Street NE exit ramp. To minimize impervious surface and reduce confusion in the area while accommodating adequate sightlines for the various existing exits, the project proposes removing approximately the first 2,700 feet of the first exit ramp and combining the remaining portion of the first exit ramp with the Johnson Street NE exit ramp. Drivers today have three exit destination options and the project proposes maintaining all three exit destination options. To put this another way, under the proposed layout drivers would still have the ability to exit directly to Johnson Street, New Brighton Boulevard, or Stinson Boulevard as they see fit.

 

Project Funding

 

The estimated cost of the project is $13 Million. The project will be paid for by a combination of state and local funds.

 

Project Timeline

 

The project follows the Design/Build process. A public hearing and the municipal approval process were completed in December of 2011, but the preliminary design phase has been suspended to allow for additional public involvement associated with noise mitigation. Construction is anticipated to start in 2014

 

Public Involvement

 

Public involvement open house #1 occurred on August 23, 2011. Open house #2 occurred on October 25, 2011. Open house #3 was held on December 14, 2011. Additional public involvement, associated with noise mitigation, will occur prior to issuing the RFP for design/build.

 

Contacts

 

For more information please feel free to contact any of the team members below.

 

Hennepin County Transportation department

1600 Prairie Drive

Medina, MN 55340 | MapIt!

Phone: 612-596-0300

FAX: 763-478-4000

 

Nick Peterson, P.E., Senior Project Manager - Design
E-mail: nick.peterson@co.hennepin.mn.us

Phone: (612) 596-0382

 

See maps and other information at the top of the page.