02-28 Resolution No. 12074RESOLUTION NO. 12074
RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE I-494 CORRIDOR COMMISSION E-ZPASS
LANE CORRIDORS OF COMMERCE PROJECT SUBMITTAL
WHEREAS, the Corridors of Commerce program was created in 2013 by the
Minnesota Legislature to focus additional transportation investments in state highway
projects that directly and indirectly foster economic growth for the State; and
WHEREAS, the Corridors of Commerce program has funded 34 projects to date
with cumulative legislative appropriations of nearly $932 million; and
WHEREAS, the current round of Corridors of Commerce grant funding totals
$250 million; and
WHEREAS, the Corridors of Commerce program is designed to fund worthy
projects on the trunk highway network that are not otherwise programmed for
construction by the State; and
WHEREAS, each eligible entity may submit one project for consideration by the
Corridors of Commerce Program and is encouraged to formally support other projects
via resolution; and
WHEREAS, the I-494 Corridor Commission E-ZPass Lane Project will construct
new E-ZPass lanes between I-35W and Trunk Highway 77 ensuring the completion of
the E-ZPass Lane segment already planned west of I-35W as part of the upcoming I-
494 Project 1; and
WHEREAS, the project would also necessitate the reconstruction of the railroad
bridge at Pleasant Ave; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richfield is adjacent to this project and adjacent
municipality support is a valued scoring element in the project evaluations; and
WHEREAS, the project would benefit Richfield via relief of the future E-ZPass
Lane bottleneck at I-35W which will concentrate I-494 congestion in Richfield; and
WHEREAS, without the full length E-ZPass Lanes, there will be no reduced
congestion alternative for transit or other high-occupancy vehicles to pass through the
corridor resulting in more vehicles in the general-purpose lanes and contributing to
congestion; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richfield has participated in and supported the
development of the I-494: Airport to Hwy 169 Vision, and this project submittal consists
of project elements identified in the I-494: Airport to Hwy 169 Vision Study; and
WHEREAS, this project would advance the I-494: Airport to Hwy 169 Vision,
which meets the stated Corridors of Commerce goals by improving highway operations
on segments where bottlenecks currently exist and therefore improving the movement
of freight via highway and rail and reducing barriers to regional commerce.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Richfield, Minnesota that it supports the I-494 Corridor Commission E-ZPass Lane
Corridors of Commerce Project application.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Richfield, Minnesota this 28th day of
February, 2023.
Mary Supple, Mayor
ATTEST:
Chris Swanson, Acting City Clerk