MnDOT says it will reconsider advisory‑committee role after PAC members pressed to study ‘at‑grade’ I‑94 boulevard option

Summary

At the Jan. 22 hearing, senators and community advocates pushed MnDOT to give its Rethinking I‑94 policy advisory committee a more meaningful role after MnDOT excluded at‑grade boulevard options from near‑term recommendations. MnDOT said it would re‑engage PAC members and consider process changes.

Senators and MnDOT officials clashed over process and analysis for the Rethinking I‑94 project on Wednesday, after advisory‑committee members and local leaders urged the agency to continue studying at‑grade (boulevard) options and the economic potential of repurposing highway land.

Senator [distinctly identified in the transcript as] McEwen said she was “dismayed” that MnDOT had ruled out at‑grade boulevard options and had not included economic repurposing in the agency’s analysis, citing an independent report that estimated thousands of jobs and housing units could result from converting highway acreage. McEwen urged MnDOT to make advisory participation meaningful and to give the policy advisory committee (PAC) the ability to record collective recommendations.

MnDOT Commissioner Nancy…

MnDOT says it will reconsider advisory‑committee role after PAC members pressed to study ‘at‑grade’ I‑94 boulevard option

Summary

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