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In mid-September, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) sent the Alternatives Evaluation Memo to Cooperating Agencies which are Federal agencies requested to assist with the environmental process, for their review and agreement, also known as concurrence. The memo was also shared with Participating Agencies which include other Federal, state and local agencies with an interest in the project, for their information. The Alternatives Evaluation Memo details which alternatives are recommended to move forward for further study (No Build, Maintenance B, Reduced Freeway and Reconfigured Freeway) in the next phase of the project, the Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Cooperating Agencies will have 21 days to review and provide agreement or reach out to MnDOT and FHWA to address any concerns.
MnDOT will prepare the Scoping Document/Draft Scoping Decision Document (SD/DSDD) for public comment once the Cooperating agencies provide concurrence on the alternatives evaluation. The official public comment period on the SD/DSDD is anticipated to take place in late 2025/early 2026 and is expected to be open for 60 days. In addition to the public comment period, a public meeting will be held with a court reporter.
Check the project website for updates and visit the project StoryMap to learn more about the alternatives, their evaluation, and recommendations for further study in the Tier 1 (EIS).
Public meetings Oct. 28 and Nov. 6
MnDOT will host two public meetings to prepare for the upcoming official public comment period. Information will be provided on the alternatives recommended to move forward and how to comment on the SD/DSDD during the official public comment period. Project staff will be available to answer questions and discuss the project. A public meeting will be scheduled later in 2025/early 2026 during the official public comment period where public comments will be collected by a court reporter.
Tue, Oct. 28
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Minneapolis Central Library – Doty Board Room
300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
Thu, Nov. 6
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Wilder Foundation – Amherst H. Wilder Auditorium A
451 Lexington Pkwy N, St. Paul
Summer engagement summary
From June through mid-September, the Rethinking I-94 project and outreach team spoke with over 600 people at 17 events in 17 different locations throughout Minneapolis and St. Paul.
- Overall: 17 events, 17 locations, 618 participants
- Eight pop-ups at existing events
499 interactions/conversations
- Five Coffee in Community events
52 participants
- Four Community Conversations
67 participants
Themes heard throughout this engagement:
- Concern about the environmental impacts of the existing freeway and interest in how the alternatives can reduce vehicle miles traveled and air pollution.
- Interest in how the project relates to current construction along I-94.
- Support for continuing to evaluate the at-grade options.
- Interest in seeing community connectivity prioritized and learning about how the alternatives can align with Reconnect Rondo’s lang bridge project.
Rethinking I-94 is a long-term process to engage community members who live, work, commute and play along the 7.5-mile segment of I-94 between Hwy 55/Hiawatha Ave. in Minneapolis and Marion St. in St. Paul. Rethinking I-94 aims to address identified transportation needs while ensuring community members and stakeholders have a meaningful voice in the process.
For more information, visit the Rethinking I-94 project website.
At any time, you can ask questions and provide feedback by emailing the project team at rethinkingI94project.dot@state.mn.us.
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