Some of the frontage roads along I-494 and I-35W are owned by the state. MnDOT now wants to give portions of them to the city. The City Council is scheduled to vote Monday, Oct. 26, on a resolution of support approving MnDOT Agreement No. 1064323, which covers the turnback of portions of the Trunk Highway 494 and 35W frontage roads.
MnDOT's I-494 rebuild between East Bush Lake Road in Edina and 12th Avenue in Richfield has 2 phases, each budgeted at $377 million. Project 1 runs from 2023 to 2026. It adds E-ZPass lanes from Highway 100 to I-35W and replaces the bridges at Portland, Nicollet and 12th avenues. Project 2 is scheduled for 2027 to 2030 and carries the express lanes east from I-35W to Highway 77, with more interchanges rebuilt along the way.
The published agenda doesn't say which stretches of frontage road the agreement covers, how many miles are involved, or whether MnDOT is paying the city anything to take them on. The item is number 3.6 on the consent business list. The agenda names no presenter.
The council meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, in the Council Chambers at Bloomington Civic Plaza, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road. The same consent agenda includes a contract for a construction manager on Fire Station 2 and approval of new street lights at Hopkins and Mission Road. This story will be updated once the city confirms which roads are changing hands and on what terms.
Residents who want to comment can contact council members before the meeting.
