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Transportation takes us from A to B. And Two-thousand-thirteen was another year of doing just that. Let's
look at some transportation highlights from this past year.
MnDOT Commissioner Charles Zelle began touring around the state and across the Twin Cities
Metro to speak with Minnesotans about the future of transportation. During these town
hall meetings, Zelle has discussed with citizens the need to invest in a connected network
of roads, bridges, transit and trails, over the next 20 years, to support the health of
the people, the environment and the economy well into the future.
The Hastings bridge construction that involved building and moving the bridge from land to
barge and later downstream was completed in 2013. The bridge has four lanes of traffic
with access to a bike and pedestrian path. The project also provided additional parking,
with an artistic plaza area south of the river. The project design allowed for the bridge
to be open to traffic throughout construction, saving motorists a 47 mile detour.
In the first of four construction seasons, St. Croix Crossing crews completed all underwater
work for five pier foundations. In Minnesota, crews built new lanes... a direct ramp between
Highways 36 and 95...as well as a new bridge over Highway 36. When the bridge opens in
2016, motorists will have a safer, more reliable river crossing connecting Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Construction of the new Diverging Diamond interchange in St. Cloud was completed and
opened early to traffic in mid-October. The design moves traffic, reduces congestion and
improves safety without increasing the number of lanes.
In 2013, MnDOT Maintenance crews made full closures on 35W and 94 in Minneapolis this
past summer. During this closure, survey, bridge and maintenance activities happened
simultaneously in order to accomplish a large work load in a shorter time frame. This approach
made it safer for MnDOT crews, reduced costs and minimized extended traffic impacts.
In May work began in Moorhead to improve bicycle and pedestrian access and safety. Improvements
including installation of pedestrian accessibility ramps, signal upgrades and resurfacing of
a four block stretch of Highway 10. These upgrades now provide a safer option for all
bikers and pedestrians.
In 2013, the Mississippi River Trail bikeway ... the 169/494 interchange reconstruction
project ... and the Highway 610 extension project received national awards for their
innovative solutions, saving taxpayer dollars and improving access for Minnesotans.
MnDOT's Office of Aeronautics conducted an outreach and marketing project that resulted
in increased scheduled air services at two regional airports in greater Minnesota. The
increase in service supports International Falls' thriving tourism and businesses industries,
while supporting the local economy and jobs in northern Minnesota.
In June, the RTMC reached its 10th Anniversary. The RTMC houses State Patrol, MnDOT Maintenance,
and Traffic Operations. In 2003, the three groups were put into one facility which greatly
increased and improved coordination among the functions. This coordination supports
an efficient response system that helps traffic congestion, highway safety, and provides travel
information for Twin Cities' motorists.
In 2013, MnDOT worked with manufacturers and freight carriers to better understand their
priorities -- and challenges, with the transportation system. This information assisted MnDOT in
planning snow and ice removal and construction activities to accommodate the needs of manufacturers
and carriers that rely on Minnesota roads.
On November 14th, MnDOT and Governor Dayton announced 10 highway construction projects
that would receive funding through the state's new Corridors of Commerce program. Projects
that were selected will strengthen Minnesota's transportation system by adding capacity and
improving movement of freight across the state.
For more information, visit us online at MnDOT dot gov.