Wright and Sherburne Counties have partnered together to conduct the Highway 25 Area Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study to develop a long-term vision for transportation improvements in the area. Below is an update provided by Wright and Sherburne Counties:
Highway 25 Area PEL Alternatives Analysis Complete
Input used to identify alternatives to carry forward to the next phase
Over the past year and a half, Wright and Sherburne Counties partnered with area communities and state agencies to conduct the Highway 25 Area Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study. The purpose of this PEL study was to develop a long-term vision for transportation improvements in the area, build consensus around that vision and initiate state and federal planning and environmental processes.
The study used public and agency input and data analysis to consider transportation alternatives to address capacity, access, mobility, and safety issues in the Highway 25 area between I-94 and Highway 10. In the first phase, we analyzed existing conditions and community needs through extensive research, stakeholder involvement and public input. Issues and opportunities were gathered at a public Open House, a virtual Lunch and Learn Series, two community pop-up events, an online mapping tool, and more than 550 public survey responses. In the second phase, concepts were presented to agency stakeholders and the public for review and comment. That feedback was used to develop the Alternatives Analysis Report and recommendations to carry forward to the next phase of the study.
A final PEL Study Report will summarize the overall PEL Study process, input collected, and recommendations. This report along with complete agency comments will be released later this month.
Alternatives moving forward to next step
The next phase of work will be to complete a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to more thoroughly review, analyze, and gather public and agency input on the remaining alternatives. The purpose of the Tier I EIS is to select a preferred corridor alignment. The remaining alternatives to be further considered in the Tier I EIS include:
- No build scenario which would include improvements to the I-94 and Highway 25 interchange, widening of I-94 to six lanes east of Highway 25, and repaving of Highway 25 in and near Monticello, including Intelligent transportation systems improvements and variable messaging signs.
- Alternative B3: One-way pair which would convert Cedar Street to northbound-only operation and the existing Highway 25 roadway (Pine Street) to a southbound-only operation along with other intersection improvements, a new span of the Mississippi River near the existing Hwy 25 bridge, and expansion of CR 11 between Hwy 25 and Hwy 10.
- Alternative D2: 120th Street would include constructing a new I-94 interchange, Mississippi River bridge crossing, and new roadway on the western edge of Monticello which would connect 120th Street and CR 11 along with intersection improvements.
- Alternative D3: Eastern Becker which would construct a new I-94 interchange, Mississippi River bridge crossing, and new roadway on the east side of Becker which would connect Aetna Avenue to 150th Avenue.
For more details and maps of these alignment, visit the project website at: https://arcg.is/1qaWPz0.
Stay informed
To stay updated on the study and learn about other opportunities for involvement, please visit our project website: https://arcg.is/1qaWPz0.
Comments or questions can be directed to Chad Hausmann at chad.hausmann@co.wright.mn.us or Andrew Witter at andrew.witter@co.sherburne.mn.us.