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August 25, 2015 Page 2 of 5 • Planning Commission Minutes from June 16, 2015. • Planning Commission Worksession Minutes from June 16, 2015. Special Order of Business 1. MnDOT Presentation on Future MnPASS Lane Addition on 1-35W from Think Highway 36 to Lexington Avenue in Blaine. City Manager Lotter stated Community Assets & Development Director Schlichting would be presenting this item to the Council. Community Assets & Development Director Schlichting explained Jerome Adams with MnDOT had a short presentation for the City Council regarding the Future MnPASS Lane Addition on 1-35W. Jerome Adams, MnDOT representative, introduced himself to the Council. He then discussed the plans for I- 35 W North Corridor. He explained that MnDOT has been planning for this corridor for decades. He understood that the portion of 1-35W at 1-694 was one of the most congested roadways areas in the metro area He discussed the plans for the MnPASS lane explaining it would begin at Lexington Avenue and nun the length of the 1-35W corridor to Highway 36. He reported that one lane would be added in each direction and MnDOT would be evaluating the need for noise walls. MnDOT anticipated that construction for this project would begin in 2019. The project was estimated to cost between $120 and $180 million. He commented that the cloverleaf at I-694 was going to be investigated. He reported that MnDOT had a funding shortfall at this time and would be seeking additional funds. He then discussed why adding general purpose lanes would not solve the congestion problems along 1-35W. He noted that MrMT was planning the corridor with traffic projections through 2040. He defined the MnDOT MnPASS program and explained why MnDOT preferred this system to address the metro areas traffic concerns. He commented that the MnPASS lane would provide a congestion free travel choice during peak travel times. He discussed the amount of ridership that would be able to move freely through the MnPASS lanes completed Councilmember Bauman was disappointed by the rates that would be charged for the 1-35W MnPASS. She understood that this corridor was a problem. She did not believe that residents would not want to pay that much to use the MnPASS lane. She discussed the low usage on the 1-394 MnPASS lane. She expressed concern that the recent bridge replacements would not accommodate more than one lane addition on 1-35W Mr. Adams discussed the MnPASS pricing. He reported that the rates would vary based on traffic congestion. He explained that the modclitig shows that the MnPASS lane moves traffic more efficiently than additional general purpose lanes would Councilmember Strub asked what proportion of users that used the current MnPASS lanes were inner ring suburbs versus outer ring suburbs. Mr. Adams stated the I -35W MnPASS lane should be considered the beginning and not the final solution. He discussed the fi ture phases that MnDOT had planned for the 1-3 5W corridor to downtown Minneapolis. He provided further comment on the education that MnDOT would be conducting to the north metro regarding the MnPASS lane. Councilmember Strub understood that New Brighton residents were interested in a sound wall on the east side of the 1-35W corridor through the City. He asked if MnDOT had any comment on the requested sound wall as he wanted this to remain a priority. Mr. Adams stated MnDOT would be working closely with the City, its staff and the Council to keep everyone informed on the noise wall process. He explained that MnDOT would make the general public aware of the process as well. Councilmember Burg questioned if the technology used would be similar to the SunPASS in Florida. Mr. Adams reported the federal government wants "hot" lanes to be regionally compatible. To make this happen, there were many unknowns and technology details were being worked out. Councilmember Burg inquired how the MnPASS ridership would be monitored Mr. Adams commented that Minnesota has a low violator rate commenting that the lanes were monitored by State Troopers. Councilmember Burg inquired how much the transponder would cost. Mr. Adams indicated the MnPASS system would be changing from its current leased receivers. He discussed the new option that would be available to MnPASS lane riders and stated MnDOT was trying to provide its users with options. Mayor Jacobsen questioned how many times the MnPASS lane was used fine by drivers with two or more Special Order of Business 1. MnDOT Potation on Future MnPASS Lane Addition on I -35W from Tnmk Highway M to Lexington Avenue in Blaine