[Mpls] City could block I-35W widening

[Jeanne Massey]

>From the Strib:
Unless the Minnesota Department of Transportation makes a firm commitment to
include new buses, lanes and stations on I-35W as part of rebuilding the
I-35W-Crosstown Hwy. 62 commons, the city is ready to withhold approval of
the project, officials said Monday.

JM:
The City's potential action in exacting some real transit from the I-35W
retrofit projects is a hopeful step, but I am confused about the specific
veto power the City actually has over MnDOT transportation projects.  My
understanding was that a state law went into effect a few years ago that
reduced or eliminated the power of municipalities to veto regional or
statewide transportation projects.

This was/is a major issue regarding the role of Minneapolis in influencing
the outcome of the I-35W Access Project.  While the City's vote up or down
on the project would send a tremendous message, I had the understanding that
it wouldn't have much muscle if MnDOT were to decide to move ahead
regardless.

The City stated as part of its formal "conceptual" support for the I-35W
Access project earlier this year that it wants to see BRTl/LRT as a part of
the project, but, again, I'm uncertain how much power it has to make such a
demand in the final hour.

Is the role of the impacted cities in approving the Crosstown redesign
unique because of the legislatively initiated redesign process?  Would
Minneapolis have this same power with respect to the I-35W Access Project?

Can anyone help clarify?

Jeanne Massey
Kingfield


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