VPP Projects Involving Tolls
Category: Priced Lanes
Sub-Category: Express Toll Lanes

Project - MINNESOTA: Trunk Highway 77 Managed Lanes

Cedar Avenue corridor is a significant element of the Twin Cities Urban Partnership Agreement (UPA). Enhancements under the UPA for Cedar Avenue, however, are focused primarily on improved transit service. This value pricing proposal will build upon the learning of our I-394 MnPASS high occupancy toll (HOT) lane project and the priced dynamic shoulder lanes (PDSL) being implemented on I-35W. An important component of this project will be the evaluation of fixed and moveable barriers and contra-flow lanes in the corridor. This study will evaluate managed lane concepts that are compatible with the long-term plans for development of Cedar Avenue bus rapid transit (BRT). A managed lane is defined as a lane that is controlled for safety, emergency vehicle use, to offer an advantage for transit and carpools, and possibly to allow single-occupant vehicles the choice to pay a toll for a congestion-free trip in the Managed Lane.

The TH 77 Managed Lanes project is a pre-implementation planning study that seeks to explore and test a number of managed lane scenarios to provide a higher level of service for all users. Specifically, the TH 77 managed lanes study aims to evaluate the potential for developing enhanced capacity in a highly congested seven mile stretch of the existing corridor through the development of lane additions and/or the use of fixed/moveable barriers with shoulder lanes and/or contra-flow lanes. The project termini for this study are TH 62 to 140th street in Apple Valley.

Implementation Funds Awarded

June 2009

October - December 2011 Update

The contractor has completed the analysis and a draft final report is out for review and comment by the technical team and the affected communities. Meetings will continue to be held with the public and city councils to discuss three primary alternatives and other project details. Final recommendations are anticipated in early 2011.

Over the last several months Mn/DOT has been working with local stakeholders to get "Letters of Support" from the Cities and Dakota County. The goal of this effort was to come to a consensus on two alternatives to be moved forward into the environmental analysis and preliminary design phase. Letters of support have now been received to conduct further study on Alternatives 2B and 3B. Phase II of this project will consider how MnPASS can be preserved as an option along with development of Bus Rapid Transit in the TH77 corridor. This phase of work will be a partnership with Dakota County and will begin in spring of 2012.

For More Information Contact

Kenneth R. Buckeye
Program Manager Value Pricing
Phone: (651) 366-3737
E-mail: kenneth.buckeye@dot.state.mn.us

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