Project Need

Hwy 252 and I-94 in Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park and north Minneapolis need improvements and repairs. Currently, people who use this road experience a high number of crashes and heavy traffic congestion, and they feel unsafe walking, biking, and rolling. These challenges impact the surrounding communities on a daily basis.
This project aims to:

Improve vehicle safety.
Improve mobility and travel time reliability for all modes
Improve safety and mobility for walking, biking, and rolling

View the Purpose and Need document or Purpose and Need Summary for more information.

Vehicle safety

The full length of Hwy 252/I-94 within the project area has a crash problem. Both Hwy 252 and I-94 exceed the statewide crash rate for roads of this type.

Hwy 252 facts

Between 2016-2019 there were 654 reported intersection crashes along Hwy 252 and 790 reported crashes not at intersections.
Between 2016-2019 there were three fatal crashes. Between 2003-2015 there were six fatal intersection crashes.
Hwy 252 intersections have historically ranked in the top 10 in crashes for the state of Minnesota.
Rear end crashes accounted for 66% of all crashes. Rear end crashes indicate congestion problems.

I-94 facts

There were 914 reported crashes along I-94 between 2016 and 2019.
The crash rate for this segment of I-94 exceeds the average crash rate for freeways of its type.
There were five fatal crashes along I-94 from 2016-2019
More than 60% of the crashes along I-94 were rear-ends. Rear end crashes indicate congestion problems.

Mobility and travel time reliability

Hwy 252/I-94 has access and congestion problems. Hwy 252 and I-94 experiences multiple hours of traffic, reduced vehicle speeds, increases in delays, and poor travel time reliability. The intersections along Hwy 252 do not function well during peak hours. In addition, I-94 experiences congestion during peak hours, especially near freeway entrance and exit ramps.

Hwy 252 facts

Hwy 252 is over capacity for as it is today (four-lane expressway).
Daily traffic volumes are expected to increase from 4,000 to 6,000 vehicles per day by 2040.
Intersections experience congestion during peak hours. This congestion will worsen by 2040 if no improvements are made.
Travel times are expected to increase by 4 minutes in the morning peak hours and 9 minutes in the afternoon peak hours for the Hwy 252/I-94 corridor.
Transit ridership is expected to increase by 700 riders by 2040.

I-94 facts

Daily traffic volumes are expected to increase from 7,000 to 11,000 vehicles per day by 2040.
I-94 experiences congestion during peak hours, especially near freeway entrance and exit ramps.
10% of morning transit riders experience delayed trips due to congestion.
20% of afternoon transit riders experience delayed trips due to congestion.
Transit ridership is expected to reach 16,300 by 2040.

Safety and mobility for walking, biking, and rolling

Safety and mobility for walking, biking, and rolling in the corridor is a top priority. Crossing Hwy 252 can be difficult due to the number of lanes, crossing distances, and busy intersections. In addition, I-94 has imbalanced crossing distances and poor-quality crossings (i.e. narrow sidewalks and no ADA accommodations).

Hwy 252 facts

Today, crossing locations are only at intersections and are about a half mile apart from each other with the exception of the pedestrian bridge located north of 85th Ave.
Crossing distances range from 150 to over 200 feet. Longer crossing distances are more dangerous because people walking, biking, and rolling are exposed to traffic for longer.
Today, the posted speed is 55 mph. The traffic signals give priority to vehicles travelling Hwy 252. This increases the crash severity because people need to wait longer to cross or turn into traffic.
Nine pedestrian/bicycle crashes were reported between 2011-2019 involving a vehicle, including two fatalities.
Crossing conditions and safety impacts transit riders, as many riders must cross the highway to reach their bus stops and park and ride.
On average, people walking, biking, and rolling must wait 2 minutes to cross the street during peak hours.

I-94 facts

There are 10 overpass bridges on I-94 that include access for people walking, biking, and rolling.
Between 2016-2019 there were eleven reported pedestrian/bicycle crashes. No fatal crashes were reported.
The top two challenges identified for pedestrians and bicyclists along I-94 are narrow sidewalks and lack of lighting.

Additional considerations

Coordination with transit planning
Metropolitan Council’s 2040 Transportation Policy Plan
Minnesota Corridors of Commerce program