I-494 Dakota County

Dakota County

This page covers I-494 from the MN 5 EAST interchange near the airport and Minnesota River to the US 52 interchange in Inver Grove Heights. Total length of this section is approximately 8 miles.

Description

This is the newest section of I-494, having been opened in the mid 1980s. Designed for a more recent traffic count year, this is also the least-congested section of I-494, but still sees a lot of traffic and has occasional backups across the Minnesota River. Also due to its late construction, this is the only section of the 494/694 beltline that was built to 6 lanes at initial construction, and one of only 3 sections that MnDOT deems adequate for 2020.

Roadway Configuration

6 lanes throughout
C/D road on EB I-494 at the I-35E interchange
C/D roads between MN 110 and US 52
Auxiliary lanes between interchanges between Pilot Knob Rd and MN 149

Average Daily Traffic Counts

Location	1982	1984	1986	1988	1990	1992	1994
Minnesota River Bridge	9,600	25,800	41,600	50,000	51,000	60,000	91,000
W of I-35E	6,600	11,000	39,000	45,000	46,000	54,000	90,000
W of MN 149	N/A	N/A	36,900	49,700	56,000	59,000	96,000
W of MN 3	N/A	N/A	28,300	41,400	46,000	49,000	75,000
W of MN 110	N/A	N/A	23,400	34,400	37,500	40,000	62,000
W of US 52	N/A	30,100	39,300	50,200	52,500	57,500	78,500

Location	1996	1998	2000	2002	2004	2006	10-yr '96-'06 Change
Minnesota River Bridge	88,000	94,000	101,000	93,000	86,000	90,000	+2%
W of I-35E	80,000	88,000	97,000	90,000	86,000	87,000	+9%
W of MN 149	94,000	91,000	97,000	94,000	92,000	93,000	-1%
W of MN 3	86,000	82,000	86,000	83,000	87,000	87,000	+1%
W of MN 110	74,000	71,000	74,000	72,000	76,000	76,000	+3%
W of US 52	94,000	91,000	96,000	95,000	98,000	96,000	+2%

The Minnesota River bridge was opened between 1980 and 1982.
I-494 fully opened to traffic on November 26, 1986. 1986 counts are from after this opening.
Traffic volumes in 2004 are low due to pavement reconstruction.

Click HERE for the Exit List

Speed Limit

60 MPH throughout

History

December 13, 1956: Public hearing held, at which requests are made to move I-494 further south (at the time, the proposed alignment was along MN 110).
August, 1958: Another public hearing held, offering 3 alternatives, one along MN 110 and the other two near Blue Gentian Rd. Also, Mendota Heights request an alignment along the southern border of the city.
1971: An interim assessment (per NEPA) is submitted and approved.
November 19, 1971: Construction lettings for the project.
September, 1973: Litigation to order preparation of an EIS is initiated by several groups. The litigation is later withdrawn (an EIS was already being prepared), but construction is stopped until completion of the EIS.
Ca. 1976: Draft EIS completed.
Ca. late 1970s: Final EIS completed.
1982: Completed from MN 5 to a temporary connection at MN 55 (just west of I-35E).
November 26, 1986: Completed from MN 55 to MN 156.

Future Plans

None that I am aware of.

Froggie Suggests

Widen to 8 lanes from MN 5 to I-35E.
Study the feasibility of adding ramps at MN 55.
Add a flyover ramp from NB I-35E to WB I-494.

Images (click on a thumbnail for a larger view)

	This 1975 map, from the Study Report on Uncompleted Interstate Segments in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, shows I-494 proposed along generally the same alignment it occupies today. It also shows a 1960s-era proposal for the I-35E/I-494/MN 55 interchange area.
	This ca. 1976 map, from the I-494 Draft EIS, shows the most extravagant option considered for I-494 through Dakota County, with up to 6 carriageways located between I-35E and a relocated MN 55, which at the time was proposed to become a freeway.

Links

Last updated 12 May, 2008