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�NNESpr4 <br />Minnesota Department of Transportation <br />oMetro District <br />Op To. 1500 County Road B2 W <br />Roseville, MN 55113-3174 <br />August 15, 2014 <br />Re: MnDOT Support for Highway 10 Access Planning Study <br />The Highway 10 Access Planning Study responds to corridor and community needs —and <br />to the fiscal reality that MnDOT and our partner agencies face. <br />The study shows we can achieve 90% of the safety and operational benefit of a freeway, <br />for less than 50% of the cost. Pursuing lower -cost, high -benefit investments is consistent <br />with MnDOT's commitment to serve the public by Enhancing Financial Effectiveness. It <br />also supports the Metropolitan Council's call for transportation strategies that are <br />realistic, innovative, flexible, and focused. <br />The study benefitted from extensive outreach that helped us better understand issues and <br />tailor solutions to community expectations. Outreach included public open houses, <br />business and property owner workshops, City Council workshops, a study advisory <br />committee with representatives from several agencies, and a design charette. <br />The study's implementation plan prioritizes study recommendations with a focus on <br />right -sized, fundable -scale projects. Improvements can be made incrementally as funding <br />becomes available, rather than doing nothing while waiting to fund a megaproject. The <br />study is consistent with the Metropolitan Council's Transportation Policy Plan, thereby <br />improving eligibility for regional funding. While the hard work of securing funding <br />remains, with this study MnDOT and our partners are much better positioned to address <br />the challenges along Highway 10 than before. <br />MnDOT supports the recommendations of the Highway 10 Access Planning Study. We <br />are committed to working with our partner agencies to pursue funding for these projects <br />from a variety of sources. The recommendations include improvements on Highway 10 <br />itself and improvements to the supporting network of local connections. State, Federal, <br />County and City funding will all have roles to play in making the improvements. <br />Projects will require MnDOT leadership as well as local leadership. MnDOT is eager to <br />continue the momentum of this study by working with our partners to secure funding and <br />deliver projects. <br />Scott McBride <br />Metro District Engineer <br />An Equal Opportunity Employer <br />