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How will the project be funded? <br />This project is one of MnDOT's top five priorities in the metro area. A total of $100 million is available <br />for the project in 2019/20, but additional funds are needed to fund the entire project. It is likely that it <br />will be funded with a combination of federal and state funds. Some local funding may be needed for <br />local improvements. No special assessments on properties are anticipated at this time. <br />The Preliminary Engineering/Environmental Assessment project is being funded through the Corridors of <br />Commerce program. The project was awarded $1.1 million in State funds and $800,000 in Federal funds <br />through this program. <br />Local and federal elected officials and the Governor of Minnesota support the efforts to design this <br />project. They have helped secure funding with the goal of having a project that is ready for construction <br />when funding becomes available. <br />Why MnPASS lanes rather than General Purpose lanes? <br />The addition of a MnPASS lane in each direction on 1-35W between Hwy 36 and Lexington Ave will <br />significantly improve the operation and performance of the corridor. Upon opening, congestion will be <br />significantly reduced for all corridor users, whether they choose to use the MnPASS lanes or the General <br />Purpose lanes. Transit riders, carpoolers, motorcyclists and solo drivers who choose to pay a fee during <br />the peak periods will be able to rely upon a congestion -free trip in the MnPASS lanes for years to come. <br />MnPASS lanes are a better solution for corridors with high traffic volumes because the MnPASS lanes <br />don't become congested and, therefore, maximize the number of people that can be moved through a <br />highway corridor during peak rush hour periods. General purpose lanes on the other hand cannot be <br />kept congestion -free and are prone to unstable and unreliable travel times due to congestion. <br />The traffic analysis completed for this corridor shows that the MnPASS alternative serves about 10% <br />more people daily, provides free-flowing travel for 75% more people, and significantly improves travel <br />times and trip reliability for transit riders and others using the MnPASS lanes. <br />It would require at least two new general purpose lanes in each direction to serve expected demand in <br />2040. This would cost in excess of $2.5 billion and would require property acquisition along the entire <br />corridor. This is simply not feasible to do. <br />In sum, MnPASS lanes are a better long-term investment than General Purpose lanes in congested <br />corridors because they serve more people, provide faster, more reliable travel times, and increase transit <br />and carpool use. <br />Why not just rebuild the 1-694 interchange and not install MNPASS lanes? <br />The 1-35W/TH 10 common section, not the 1-694 interchange, is the most significant traffic bottleneck <br />for the 1-35W North corridor. Adding MnPASS lanes throughout the 10 mile long 135W corridor from <br />Hwy 36 to Lexington Ave is the best option from managing congestion through the 1-35W/Hwy 10 <br />section. Rebuilding the 1-694 interchange will simply deliver more traffic to the 135W/TH 10 commons <br />section resulting in more congestion rather than relieving traffic congestion on 1-35W. <br />How do you know that 1-35W will get more congested in 2040? <br />1-35W North PE/EA — Frequently Asked Questions <br />Revised 815115 2 <br />