Outdated Freeway System - Minneapolis-St. Paul (Roseville, Lexington: how much, live, costs)

[RJ8089]

Having been to almost every major city in America and have lived in 10 major cities from Charlotte to L.A., I have noticed that the freeway system in MSP is downright outdated. Mainly, the many tiny freeways (2 or 3 lanes on each side) and these dangerous weaving interchanges. Are there plans for any updating and widening these freeways? Most cities are getting rid of the dangerous weaving on/off ramps. It’s crazy to see how such a great metro area is so behind on its freeway system.

[Rhody2Mn]

I agree that our freeways are outdated, but believe it or not, there have been sporadic improvements made to the system over the years as funding has allowed. For example, 35W and 35E each received an additional HOV lane in the north metro, and one of the biggest bottleneck cloverleaf interchanges at 494 and 35W is being rebuilt over the next few years.

Funding continues to be a major reason why more aggressive enhancements to the road system aren’t made, coupled with the fact that our political leaders have changed their views on driving and have more or less engaged on a “war on cars”; they are always looking for ways to direct funds to expand transit or bike paths and there is little incentive to upgrade roads for vehicles. It is unfortunate because the Twin Cities needs BOTH roads and transit to continue to grow, and refusing to expand roads where it makes sense causes us to fall further and further behind. The reality is the majority of people in Minnesota will continue to drive no matter how much effort is made to discourage this practice.

There will be minor piecemeal updates to the freeway system in the future as funds allow, but little hope for new or widened highways. Basically, we are stuck with what we have.

[wamer27]

Originally Posted by Rhody2Mn

I agree that our freeways are outdated, but believe it or not, there have been sporadic improvements made to the system over the years as funding has allowed. For example, 35W and 35E each received an additional HOV lane in the north metro, and one of the biggest bottleneck cloverleaf interchanges at 494 and 35W is being rebuilt over the next few years.

Funding continues to be a major reason why more aggressive enhancements to the road system aren’t made, coupled with the fact that our political leaders have changed their views on driving and have more or less engaged on a “war on cars”; they are always looking for ways to direct funds to expand transit or bike paths and there is little incentive to upgrade roads for vehicles. It is unfortunate because the Twin Cities needs BOTH roads and transit to continue to grow, and refusing to expand roads where it makes sense causes us to fall further and further behind. The reality is the majority of people in Minnesota will continue to drive no matter how much effort is made to discourage this practice.

There will be minor piecemeal updates to the freeway system in the future as funds allow, but little hope for new or widened highways. Basically, we are stuck with what we have.

One simple one is make hwy 36 in Roseville 3 lanes from 35E to 35W, the footprint allows it. Instead, I got a survey asking if footbridges over it would be wanted.

[pannierpacker]

Originally Posted by wamer27

One simple one is make hwy 36 in Roseville 3 lanes from 35E to 35W, the footprint allows it. Instead, I got a survey asking if footbridges over it would be wanted.

3 lanes will not work both ways. The current plan is to keep 2 lanes westbound and eventually expand to 3 eastbound.

Originally MnDOT wanted to do 3 lanes both ways. In recent years, efforts were made to rebuild the Lexington Ave interchange. When that was done the roadway was only made wide enough to expand 1 additional lane eastbound but nothing additional for westbound. If driving through there you'll notice the space isn't there for westbound. The idea likely being that the PM rush hour is worse than the morning one, so MnDOT only wants to do an eastbound expansion so as not to encourage great car commuters to come downtown during the week.

[Shawn Ford]

There should be at least 4 lanes...minimum...everywhere.

[wamer27]

Originally Posted by pannierpacker

3 lanes will not work both ways. The current plan is to keep 2 lanes westbound and eventually expand to 3 eastbound.

Originally MnDOT wanted to do 3 lanes both ways. In recent years, efforts were made to rebuild the Lexington Ave interchange. When that was done the roadway was only made wide enough to expand 1 additional lane eastbound but nothing additional for westbound. If driving through there you'll notice the space isn't there for westbound. The idea likely being that the PM rush hour is worse than the morning one, so MnDOT only wants to do an eastbound expansion so as not to encourage great car commuters to come downtown during the week.

I wonder what shot the three lane idea down….CP Railroad with the train bridge near 35E interchange? Did CP say nope, not shutting the line down for new bridge that they would have to build?

[RJ8089]

Originally Posted by Rhody2Mn

I agree that our freeways are outdated, but believe it or not, there have been sporadic improvements made to the system over the years as funding has allowed. For example, 35W and 35E each received an additional HOV lane in the north metro, and one of the biggest bottleneck cloverleaf interchanges at 494 and 35W is being rebuilt over the next few years..

Cloverleafs are outdated too. Many cities are building fly-over ramps so that the speeds are continuous and seamless with the flow of traffic.

[Yosh01]

Originally Posted by RJ8089

Cloverleafs are outdated too. Many cities are building fly-over ramps so that the speeds are continuous and seamless with the flow of traffic.

I think there is an issue with plowing and removal of snow with fly-over ramps.

[wamer27]

Originally Posted by RJ8089

Cloverleafs are outdated too. Many cities are building fly-over ramps so that the speeds are continuous and seamless with the flow of traffic.

The costs and land required of them is astronomical in comparison. We did it on the cheap, and zero chance they’ll be implemented in current setups.

[Need4Camaro]

Originally Posted by Yosh01

I think there is an issue with plowing and removal of snow with fly-over ramps.

That plus they are much more prone to icing in the winter... Toronto does have Stack style interchanges but they use as many embankments as possible to keep solid earth under the 'ramps' except where bridges are absolutely necessary. MSP could utilize a similar setup.