What about those 4th I-94 lanes?

By LIBBY NELSON, Star Tribune

Last update: August 15, 2008 - 7:08 AM

A verdict on the fate of the fast lane could be coming as soon as next week.

Commuters have come to love the extra lane added to each direction of Interstate 94 as it crosses the Mississippi River between Minneapolis and St. Paul, but the lanes built to accommodate added traffic after the I-35W bridge collapsed last August were intended to disappear once the new bridge opened.

"Nothing has been resolved yet," Metro Transit spokesman Steve Dornfeld said. "We hope to have a resolution in the not-too-distant-future, I hope within the next week or so."

But Jeanne Aamodt, a MnDOT spokeswoman, said a resolution might not come until the new I-35W bridge has opened later this fall.

Many drivers hope the lanes will be made permanent, but losing the shoulders along the highway has concerned transit officials and police.

"I travel [Interstate] 94 every single day and I love it," said Michelle Ratnayake, who said traffic flow has become much smoother since the lanes were added.

Other commuters, however, say the lanes worked as a temporary solution but are too narrow for long-term use. They measure just 11 feet wide instead of the usual 12 feet.

"I'm sure there's been a loss of time for transit," Dornfeld said. "During the peak periods, you [usually] see the buses on the shoulder, zipping by the traffic."

It also raises concerns for state troopers, who use the shoulder for pulling over drivers, and about safety, especially snow removal and traffic flow when accidents occur.

The unknown in this equation is what will happen when the I-35W bridge reopens .

"A lot of traffic engineers, among others, are really looking forward to seeing what happens with our traffic pattern," Aamodt said.

Other agencies might also be involved before a final decision is made.

"There's been some discussion already and there's going to be more next week," Dornfeld said. "It may be something that gets presented to the governor."

Libby Nelson • 612-673-4758

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