02-22-2022 Resolution No. 11949RESOLUTION NO. 11949
RESOLUTION PROVIDING MUNICIPAL CONSENT TO THE MINNESOTA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE I-494 CORRIDOR VISION PROJECT
1 PROPOSED FINAL LAYOUT (SP 2785-424)
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Richfield is the official governing body of
the City of Richfield, Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) I-494 Corridor
Vision Project 1 (the “Project”) will construct an E-Z Pass lane on I-494 from TH 100 to I-
35W in each direction, a turbine interchange at the I-494/I-35W interchange, access
changes at Penn and replacement of bridges and access changes at Nicollet, Portland,
and 12th Avenues. A new pedestrian/bicycle bridge near Chicago Avenue will also be
constructed over I-494; and
WHEREAS, construction will also include replacement of existing pavement,
drainage, construction of retaining walls, sidewalks, bike lanes, signing, lighting, and traffic
management; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes Section 161.164 provides, “Before proceeding with
the construction, reconstruction, or improvement of any route on the trunk highway system
lying within any municipality, the commissioner [of transportation] shall submit to its
governing body a final layout and project report covering the purpose, route location, and
proposed design of the highway... [which] must include a good-faith cost estimate of all the
costs in which the governing body is expected to participate... The governing body shall,
within 60 days of receiving a final layout from the commissioner, conduct a public hearing
at which the Department of Transportation shall present the final layout for the project...
Within 90 days from the date of the public hearing, the governing body shall approve or
disapprove the final layout in writing…”; and
WHEREAS, the Project proposes the following benefits to the region: A) reduce
traffic congestion and improve reliability of average rush hour trip, B) improve safety for all
modes, C) provide a transit advantage to increase the number of people who can be
efficiently moved through the area, D) restore pavement to preserve infrastructure and
provide a smoother ride, E) preserve existing bridges, F) improve drainage systems to
reduce localized flooding and reduce run-off into the Minnesota River, and G) improve
connectivity for pedestrians and bicyclists crossing I-494; and
WHEREAS, on September 24, 2021, MnDOT submitted the proposed Final Layout
and other supportive materials and data to the City and requested the City’s consent to
and approval of the proposed Final Layout pursuant to the provisions of Minnesota
Statutes Section 161.164; and
WHEREAS, the Project is proposed to be administered by MnDOT via the design-
build project delivery method, with the contract anticipated to be let in spring 2023 with
Project completion in late 2026; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes Section 161.164, the
City scheduled a public hearing, conducted a public hearing, provided at least 30-days’
Resolution No. 11949 1
notice of the public hearing and has 90 days from the date of the Public Hearing to
approve or disapprove the proposed Final Layout by resolution; and
WHEREAS, at said public hearing, officials of the Minnesota Department of
Transportation presented plans for review and responded to questions, and the City
Council received comments regarding these plans from the public and City staff and
considered all the materials and testimony which had been presented.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of
Richfield approves the plans and proposed Final Layout submitted by the Minnesota
Department of Transportation on September 24, 2021 and presented at the November 23,
2021 Public Hearing and will cooperate with MnDOT for the successful construction of this
Project.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Richfield, Minnesota this 22nd day of February,
2022.
Maria Regan Gonzalez, Mayor
ATTEST:
Kari Sinning, City Clerk
Resolution No. 11949 2