Agenda - Council Work Session - 10/12/2021

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The alternatives recommended to be carried forward for a draft environmental impact statement included the following. • Alternative 2C — Powerline corridor crossing westward to link with Zanzibar Lane alignment • Alternative 2D: East French Lake Road/Zanzibar Lane corridor • Alternative 2E: Brockton Lane (CSAH 13) corridor crossing eastward to link with Zanzibar Lane alignment The SDD also identified alternatives with independent utility which are reasonable to consider in the future for further study even though they would not satisfy the original purpose and need in the scoping study. These included: • Transportation demand management measures • Alternative 1B: Improve/expand capacity of TH 101 • Alternative 1C: Spot improvements to Ferry Street / TH 169 • Alternative 1D: Spot improvements to TH 101 • Alternative 1E: Spot improvement new interchange at 1-94 and Brockton Lane (CSAH 13) The SDD included a schedule for environmental documentation that should occur to advance the river crossing concept. These were: • Preparation of Environmental Impact Statement Notice; • Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement and Public Hearing; • Tier 1 Final Environmental Impact Statement; • Tier 1 Record of Decision; and • Adequacy Determination. Progress Several proposed improvements recommended in the SDD have since been completed or are planned. Completed projects include capacity expansion to the 1-94 corridor north of TH 101 and interchange improvements at TH 101, extension of TH 610 and a new interchange at 1-94, a new interchange at Armstrong Blvd and TH 10 in Ramsey, and a freeway conversion for TH 101 north of 1-94. Planned improvements include more capacity expansion for 1-94 north and south of TH 101, a new interchange in the vicinity of I-94/Brockton Lane, capacity expansion for TH 10 in Coon Rapids, a freeway conversion for TH 10 in Anoka and Ramsey and a freeway conversion for TH 169 in Elk River. There have been or will be significant improvements to the main highway and arterial roadways surrounding the feasibility study area. No progress has been made on furthering a new crossing through initiation of an environmental review document. MnDOT stated in the 2004 study that the SDD was characterized by controversy, and that lack of funding and public opposition from some of the project stakeholders encouraged MnDOT to pause efforts following the SDD to initiate an EIS. MnDOT did assert, however, that demand for river crossing improvements would persist and that future Mississippi River Crossing capacity would be required. Notably, an interchange is currently under construction in 2020 for a new road (Dayton Parkway) just east of Brockton Lane (Dayton Parkway). This will include a diverging diamond interchange with 1-94 and new road between CH 81 and CH 101 (Brockton Lane). The eventual intention is to extend Dayton Parkway further north and link to Zanzibar Lane. This is shown in the SDD as Alternative 2D, to be advanced for future consideration. NW Metro Mississippi River Crossings Feasibility Analysis Page 19