I-94 West Corridor Coalition Launches Green Light 94

The I-94 West Corridor Coalition is a coalition of dedicated local governments, private businesses, I-94 West Chamber of Commerce and other stakeholders affected by the transportation challenges facing Minnesota. The Coalition takes a comprehensive approach to expanding the capacity of the corridor that will benefit communities and businesses along the entire corridor.  

This past year the Coalition took a much more active role advocating at the State Capitol, testifying before multiple committees, hosting the House Transportation Chair at St. Michael City Hall, and meeting with Governor Dayton. These efforts led to 94 becoming a priority to a number of our policy makers, but it's not enough. MnDOT recently completed their 20-year investment plan, Minnesota State High Improvement Plan, (http://www.dot.state.mn.us/planning/mnship/) which does not include any funding for I-94 or any other inter-regional corridor, which is a serious source of disappointment for the Coalition. Of the 10 investment categories in the plan, inter-regional corridors represent the only category to not receive funding.  

The need for lane expansion is quantifiable. I-94 between Highway 101 and St. Cloud is one of the worst congested roadways in the state. This section of road represents only 1.6% of MnDOT's Interregional Corridor System, yet makes up 40% of the system's congestion. Major distribution companies such as GNP Company, makers of Golden N' Plump Chicken, and Spee Dee Delivery lose over $200,000 annually due to delays on I-94.  The recent Reason Foundation Annual Highway Report (http://reason.org/news/show/20th-annual-highway-report) of road conditions ranked Minnesota's interstates as the second most congested in the nation, behind California.

The I-94 West Corridor Coalition recently launched an advocacy campaign, dubbed 'Green Light 94,' focused on educating the public and state government officials about the need for lane expansion to reduce congestion between Highway 101 and St. Cloud. The Coalition has set its sights on adding a lane in each direction along the I-94 corridor.

To get involved in the Green Light 94 effort, visit i94coalition.com and share your frustrations with I-94 as the Coalition works to rectify this ongoing problem.