I-94/694 Northwest Metro

Northwest Metro

This page covers I-94/694 from the I-494 interchange in Maple Grove to the I-94/I-694 split in Brooklyn Center. Total length of this section is approximately 7.4 miles.

Description

This section is unique in Minnesota in that it is the only Interstate-Interstate duplex in Minnesota longer than a mile, and one of only three period. What's more interesting is that the 3-digit bypass route (I-694) is duplexed with its parent (I-94).

This route serves as the main northwestern gateway into the Twin Cities, and as a result of urban growth first reaching then passing beyond the route it sees heavy traffic. This route also represents a potential shift in opinion from the Metropolitan Council regarding HOV lanes, as it was decided to add general purpose lanes instead of HOV lanes along this segment. Any capacity increase was sorely needed, as much of the route was its original 4 lanes and saw chronic congestion that was greatly reduced with the recent widening project, and that major improvement is the likely reason for the heavy jump in 2006 traffic volumes along the widened section.

Roadway Configuration

6 lanes from I-494 to Brooklyn Blvd
8 lanes from Brooklyn Blvd to the I-94/694 split
Auxiliary lanes between interchanges from I-494 to Boone Ave

Average Daily Traffic Counts

Location	1980	1982	1984	1986	1988	1990	1992	1994
E of I-494	37,500	36,500	46,100	57,200	58,700	64,000	74,000	78,000
E of Hemlock Ln	39,000	42,000	49,000	58,500	61,000	68,000	78,000	82,000
E of US 169	39,300	36,000	N/A	60,600	63,500	71,000	80,000	83,000
E of Boone Ave	43,700	40,500	57,000	64,400	68,500	79,000	86,000	88,000
E of CSAH 81	43,700	43,700	64,700	68,500	90,000	91,000	97,000	99,000
E of Brooklyn Blvd	49,000	53,700	81,000	84,000	105,000	105,000	112,000	114,000

Location	1996	1998	2000	2002	2004	2006	10-yr '96-'06 Change
E of I-494	82,000	87,000	91,000	92,000	94,000	110,000	+34%
E of Hemlock Ln	86,000	91,000	97,000	95,000	98,000	120,000	+40%
E of US 169	87,000	94,000	99,000	91,000	94,000	108,000	+24%
E of Boone Ave	94,000	100,000	103,000	95,000	98,000	111,000	+18%
E of CSAH 81	104,000	111,000	112,000	102,000	105,000	120,000	+15%
E of Brooklyn Blvd	121,000	129,000	130,000	118,000	120,000	133,000	+10%

The 2002 drop in traffic volumes is likely due to MN 610's opening in 2000.
2004 volumes were affected by the corridor reconstruction project.

Click HERE for the Exit List

Speed Limit

60 MPH throughout

History

Opened from CSAH 81 to I-694 in 1965.
Opened from I-494 to CSAH 81 in 1969.
CSAH 61/Hemlock Ln interchange constructed in 1976.
Reconstruction, realignment, and widening from Brooklyn Blvd to I-694 in 1982.
Full Boone Ave interchange built ca. early 1990s.
Reconstruction/6-lane widening from I-494 to Brooklyn Blvd completed 2005.

Future Plans

Reconstruction of the I-494 "Fish Lake Interchange" is proposed for the 2015-2023 timeframe.

Froggie Suggests

Reconstruct and improve the I-494 "Fish Lake Interchange".
Widen I-94/694 to 8 through lanes between I-494 and Brooklyn Blvd.
Reconstruct the US 169 interchange to include a NB 169 to WB 94/694 flyover, C/D roads between the 169 and Boone Ave interchanges, and a C/D road for SB 169.
Reconstruct the CSAH 81 interchange to include a direct EB 81 to EB 94/694 flyover ramp.
Reconstruct the Brooklyn Blvd interchange into a single-point interchange.
Widen I-94/694 to 10 lanes between Brooklyn Blvd and the 94/694 split.

Links

Last updated 09 July, 2007