Rethinking I-94 Public Comment Period Now Open

January 6 - March 23, 2026

 

The Community is Asking for a Project Pause

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD 

 

 

MnDOT is advancing three highway design options for further study. It has extended its official public comment period to March 23.

 

Your two actions are needed right now

 

1) Click here to make your official comments until March 23 on the proposed project designs, and

2) Click here to easily tell Governor Walz, MnDOT Commissioner Daubenberger and multiple elected officials and stakeholders to pause the project to allow for rigorous study, honest analysis and world-class engineering and design. Send the form letter or delete it and write your own. It's very easy.

 

What we're asking for

 

Three unacceptable, unsustainable options remain under consideration for the I-94 project. See them here. Note in their graphic comments that MnDOT prefers expanding the highway to meet its goals.

 

Check out the Union Park District Council Transportation Committee's analysis on why these options are substandard, and use their suggestions if you wish for your own public comments. Note that MnDOT is not advancing an at-grade (boulevard) option, for reasons that outside engineers consider proof of poor planning and outdated traffic modeling.

 

This multi-billion-dollar project--potentially the most expensive in state history--deserves thoughtful consideration of additional options:

  • the at-grade (boulevard) option
  • a low-speed parkway within the existing trench
  • others...let the MnDOT and consulting engineers who prioritize and understand sustainability put their pens to paper!

 

All proposed options must meet land-use and transportation goals, and include: 

  • new residential, business, and park developments along the entire length of the corridor, and
  • local and regional street and transit enhancements within the corridor and in supporting alignments, including networked, protected bicycle infrastructure and pedestrian/cyclist safety improvements along all impacted city streets

 

Additional project options must demonstrate potential for new homes, new jobs, economic and tax-base development in highway-adjacent communities while improving neighborhood livability and protecting residents' and visitors' health.

 

Who decides? Does my voice matter? And what about municipal consent?

 

The MnDOT Commissioner is the final project decisionmaker; however, she serves at the pleasure of Governor Walz and is heavily influenced by his wishes. A new governor will be elected in November, 2026 and will choose their own commissioner.

 

Do public comments matter? YES. Highway neighbors need to let officials know where they stand.

 

Most Interstate highway projects require "municipal consent" from the cities the projects impact. MN Statutes 161.163 Subd. 1 states that these include projects that "alter access, increase or reduce highway traffic capacity, or require acquisition of permanent rights-of-way." Therefore, we anticipate that the Minneapolis and Saint Paul City Councils will inspect and vote on MnDOT's plans. However:

  • MnDOT may attempt to design a project that circumvents municipal review requirements
  • If one or both city councils reject MnDOT's proposal, an appeal process ensues

  • If a 3-person appeal board rejects MnDOT's design (the final step in the appeal process), MN Statutes 161.163 Subd. 4 (2) allows the MnDOT Commissioner to "prepare final construction plans substantially similar" to the plans that were rejected, "file a written report," and "proceed with the project."

 

The deck seems stacked. Make some noise!

 

Follow the links above to register your official public comment on the current MnDOT proposal.  Call or email the Governor and MnDOT Commissioner to demand a project pause, using the contact information below.

 

Call Governor Walz: (651) 201-3400
Email Governor Walz: https://mn.gov/governor/connect/contact-us/contact-form.jsp

 

Call MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger: (651) 296-3000
Email Commissioner Daubenberger: MnDOT_Commissioner@state.mn.us

 

 

Volunteer

Our Streets Minnesota is paying attention to the Rethinking I-94 process, developing thoughtful ideas for the corridor and holding officials accountable to their promises. Visit the Our Streets website to take part in volunteer activities, from letter-writing to door knocking to tabling at community events. 

Sign the Letter

Neighbors, community organizations (led by Our Streets MN), elected officials and transportation experts have proposed establishing an at-grade boulevard in MnDOT's Rethinking I-94 highway project corridor. MnDOT took an initial look at the boulevard idea. Based on its preliminary analysis, the agency intends to exclude the boulevard option from further study.

 

Read the community letter that will be delivered to Governor Walz and MnDOT leadership and decide whether you think the agency should continue to include a boulevard among its ongoing evaluation of highway options. If you believe a boulevard should be considered for further study, sign the letter.