By R. Kent Barnard, Metro District Communications and Engagement

A two-year project to improve safety and mobility by repairing and resurfacing Interstate 94 and I-35E near downtown St. Paul wraps up this fall. The ambitious project began in July 2021.

Broken into three stages, the work began on the stretch of I-94 just west of Western Avenue and required long-term lane and ramp closures on the interstate and some local roads until late fall 2021.

As work continued on I-94 and I-35E this spring, repairs shifted to I-94 between Marion Street and I-35E, and on I-35E from I-94 to University Avenue through the middle of the summer. The final stage kicked off in mid-summer and is currently under construction. The project will be finished in October 2022.

In addition to repairs and resurfacing, work includes resurfacing ramps and frontage roads along I-94, repairing drainage and upgrading storm sewers, and bridge rehabilitation work, along with repairing and upgrading sidewalks and approaches to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The project’s location, nestled between downtown St. Paul and the State Capitol complex, presented some challenges to MnDOT staff and the construction crews. Among them were keeping traffic flowing along the major east-west artery and providing access to local roads. A lack of nearby state highways also led to some longer-than-normal detours and, of course, motorist frustration.

Metro District Communications and Engagement staff handled communications with commuters, businesses, nearby workers and the Minnesota Legislature, with assistance from consultants. In addition to mailings, email updates and social media, the communications team participated in local events and held virtual, online information sessions for the public, businesses, emergency service providers and the Legislature before the start of construction each year.

When the project is completed, motorists will find a smoother, long-lasting road surface, improved safety and better mobility along the highway along with upgraded pedestrian and bicycle accessibility. For more information and maps of the area, visit the I-94 and I-35E in St. Paul project webpage.

MnDOT will receive $18 million in a federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant to help fund reconstruction of Hwy 197 in Bemidji, Gov. Tim Walz announced Aug. 12.

“Minnesota has the fourth-highest number of roads in the country, and that means regular maintenance and repair to ensure safety and efficiency,” said Gov. Walz. “I am grateful for this federal partnership and their decision to award funding to one of Northern Minnesota’s critical roadways to provide the upgrades these communities deserve. Investment in infrastructure are investments in Minnesota’s safety, economy and livability, and I’m looking forward to continuing to improve infrastructure across our state.” 

“MnDOT is grateful to our federal partners for the investments they are making in Minnesota through the RAISE program,” said Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger. “The $18 million that MnDOT has been awarded to reconstruct Hwy 197 in Bemidji will improve safety, enhance business access, and add sidewalks and lighting for better mobility. Federal investments like this — made possible by the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act — will help make our communities safer and more accessible and ensure Minnesota’s transportation system serves all people.”

The project area of Hwy 197, from Hannah Avenue to Gillett Drive, carries approximately 15,000 vehicles per day. The project includes corridor improvements to address safety at three locations, maintain acceptable traffic operations and access to businesses, address aging infrastructure and construct non-motorized facilities along and across the corridor for users to reach their destinations. This project will reconstruct Hwy 197 with concrete, construct three roundabouts and create an urbanized cross section with trails and lighting on both sides of the roadway. Work will also include reconstructing two city roadways on Hannah Avenue and Middle School Drive and adding new sidewalk connections and two compact roundabouts.

The total project cost for the state and local roadways is estimated to be $26 million. The project is set to begin in 2026.

Brian Kary begins new director role

Brian Kary has accepted the Transportation Systems Management and Operations director position, effective Aug. 31. He will lead the agency’s efforts to implement strategies to improve the safety, operations, efficiency and performance of MnDOT’s multimodal system.

Kary’s prior work with the department has included freeway operations, traffic analysis, and incident management. Most recently, he was the director of traffic operations, overseeing the daily operations and program delivery sections of the Regional Transportation Management Center, which includes the E-ZPass system, the FIRST program and ramp metering. 

Laura Roads steps into new role in commercial vehicle operations

Laura Roads has begun a new role as the assistant director for the Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations, overseeing commercial vehicle operations. Previously, she worked as a staff attorney in FCVO for eight years, advising on the laws governing commercial motor vehicles and other for-hire transportation services, working with industry stakeholders and partners at other agencies and assisting the Governor’s Office with transportation-related emergency executive orders.

Roads has been actively involved during legislative sessions to help represent the interests and initiatives of the Commercial Vehicle Operations section, and worked with the Office of Government Affairs in the legislative mobility role for the 2020 and 2021 sessions.

In fall 2021, she moved to the Office of Chief Counsel, where she took on some new assignments helping the CAV-X Office and assisting the agency with audits involving the Office of Legislative Auditor.

Andrea Hendrickson, state hydraulic engineer, received the Mark Miles Distinguished Hydraulic Engineer Award at the National Hydraulic Engineering Conference in Atlanta last month. The award is given by the conference steering committee, which consists of individuals from state DOTs, the Federal Highway Administration, the AASHTO Technical Committee on Hydrology and Hydraulics and the Transportation Research Board Standing Committee on Hydrology, Hydraulics, and Stormwater.    

Hendrickson has worked for MnDOT since 1985 and has implemented numerous programs and practices that have made the agency’s hydraulics program a national model of excellence, according to the NHEC citation; she is also responsible for most of the hydraulics standards and specifications used today, among many other professional accomplishments.

The citation from the NHEC also noted Hendrickson’s leadership: “She is the go-to person within MnDOT to answer questions regarding hydraulics issues at all levels of complexity. She understands complex issues and has the strong communication skills to accurately explain and resolve problems with solutions. She mentors many of the younger engineers within her group as well as TCHH members and university students that MnDOT collaborates with. She also works as a booster promoting Civil Engineer internship programs within MnDOT.”

The Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals recently honored Hannah Pritchard as its Public Sector Professional of the Year.

Pritchard, a pedestrian and bicycle engineer, is in the Office of Transit and Active Transportation. In her role, she works with districts and partners to better integrate walking and biking into designs and projects. She served as the primary author for an update to the agency’s bike manual in 2020. Pritchard also led the team that wrote MnDOT's first pedestrian design manual.

“It feels good to know that my work is valued at MnDOT, and that people at MnDOT think I am doing a good job,” she said. “I'm flattered that Jesse Thornsen in the Metro District would nominate me, and that APBP would pick me.”

Thornsen, a senior pedestrian/bicycle/ADA planner, said Pritchard helps push MnDOT to figure out ways that all users of the transportation system can coexist.

“Hannah is dedicated to making the transportation system safe, comfortable, and convenient for people who walk and bike," Thornsen wrote in his nomination. “She has the unique and useful skill of being able to translate the needs of pedestrians and bicyclists to and between planners, engineers, and advocates.”

Some of Pritchard's insight comes from first-hand experience. When she started as a traffic engineering consultant living in the city of Detroit in 2006, Pritchard biked to work. She noticed how systems could be better, she said – like seeing the difference a new bike lane could make.

“I started to realize that if walking and biking are going to be workable for people, we're going to have to go out of our way to make sure that happens,” Pritchard said. “I've always been interested in the environment and aware of climate change, and this gives me a good way to live those values. I feel privileged to be about to do something for work that aligns so much with my personal values.”

The APBP recognized Pritchard at the organization’s conference last month in Minneapolis.

MnDOT took to the water on Aug. 6, as the agency’s Snow Dragons team competed in the annual Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival. MnDOT’s Asian Employee Resource Group has put together teams for dragon boat races in the Twin Cities for nearly a decade, and this year the group partnered with District 2’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee to bring the Snow Dragons to Lake Bemidji. 

Paddlers included MnDOT employees from District 2 and Central Office, working to build positive relationships with each other and the community. Dragon boat racing, which has roots in China some 2,000 years ago, provides a challenge for 18 individuals as they paddle together and in sync with an on-board drummer. 

“We were happy to partner with the Asian ERG and make connections in person,” said Leslie Seitz, District 2 Diversity and Inclusion Committee co-chair. “It was a very fun event where teamwork was vital in getting the boat across the finish line.” 

“I think it is awesome MnDOT supports D and I events like this,” said Hol Flor, an Asian ERG member from the Office of Transportation System Management in Central Office. “This was my first time participating in a dragon boat race, and I can’t think of a better group of people to have paddled with. I can’t wait to do it again next year!”

Asian ERG plans to put out the call for Snow Dragon paddlers again next summer.

"Dragon boat festivals have been an excellent opportunity for the Asian ERG and other MnDOT employees to do community outreach, network, recruit new employees, and possibly win a trophy for MnDOT. I encourage all employees to participate or come and cheer us on in future events!" said Sophia Yang, Asian ERG member and Dragon Boat Team Captain.