Purpose

• To prevent changes to I-94 between Minneapolis and St Paul that would reduce travel lanes or create a boulevard or land bridge, and to block funding for studies or proposals of such designs.

Main provisions

• Adds a new subdivision (Subd 13) to Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 174.03, covering Interstate Highway 94 between Minneapolis and St Paul.
• Subd 13(a): The commissioner of transportation must not reduce, close, or remove any travel lanes designed for vehicular travel on marked Interstate Highway 94 between Minneapolis and St Paul.
• Subd 13(b): The commissioner must not spend funds to study, analyze, promote, review, consult, or propose a boulevard or land bridge design for marked Interstate Highway 94. If a redesign or modification is deemed necessary, the commissioner is prohibited from adopting a boulevard or land bridge design for that purpose.
• Subd 13(c): This prohibition does not apply to lane reductions or closures that are necessary for resurfacing, reconstruction, or maintenance of marked Interstate Highway 94, or for reconstruction of the highway for emergency purposes.

What this changes in practice

• Creates a clear rule to maintain current lane configurations on I-94 between Minneapolis and St Paul and to prevent the exploration or adoption of boulevard or land bridge concepts for this stretch.
• Limits the use of state funds for studies or proposals related to boulevard or land bridge options for I-94.
• Allows lane changes only when they are part of normal maintenance activities such as resurfacing, reconstruction, or emergency-related work.

Key terms reflected in the bill

• Interstate Highway 94 (I-94), marked Interstate Highway 94
• Minneapolis, St Paul
• lane reduction, travel lanes
• boulevard, land bridge
• commissioner of transportation
• Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 174.03
• Subd 13 (new subdivision)
• study, analyze, promote, review, consult, propose
• resurfacing, reconstruction, maintenance
• emergency purposes

Relevant Terms - Interstate Highway 94 - Minneapolis - St Paul - lane reduction - boulevard - land bridge - commissioner of transportation - Minnesota Statutes 2024 - section 174.03 - Subd 13 - study - analyze - promote - review - consult - propose - resurfacing - reconstruction - maintenance - emergency purposes