Interstate 394

Infobox road
state=MN
type=I
route=394
maint=MnDOT

---

length_mi=9.5
length_round=2
length_ref=Fact|date=July 2008
established=1991
direction_a=West
terminus_a=jct|state=MN|I|494|US|12 in Minnetonka
junction=jct|state=MN|US|169 in Minnetonka
jct|state=MN|TH|100 in Golden Valley
jct|state=MN|I|94 in Minneapolis
direction_b=East
terminus_b=3rd & 4th Streets in Minneapolis
previous_type=MN
previous_route=371
next_type=I
next_route=494

Interstate 394 (I-394) is an east-west interstate highway spur route in Hennepin County in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It runs for 9.8 miles (15.8 km) from an eastern terminus in downtown Minneapolis to a western terminus at the junction of Interstate 494 in the Minneapolis suburb of Minnetonka. At its western terminus, the roadway loses its interstate designation but continues as U.S. Highway 12. I-394 serves as the most direct link for commuters and other drivers who are traveling between downtown Minneapolis and parts of the western Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area.

The freeway maintains at least three lanes in each direction except under the Minnesota State Highway 100 bridge and also between Interstate 94 and its eastern terminus downtown.

Route description

Legally, the route of Interstate 394 is defined as Routes 10 and 107 in Minnesota Statutes §§ 161.114(2) and 161.115(38). [http://ros.leg.mn/bin/getpub.php?pubtype=STAT_CHAP_SEC&year=2006&section=161.114] , [http://ros.leg.mn/bin/getpub.php?pubtype=STAT_CHAP_SEC&year=2006&section=161.115]

Interstate 394 begins on the western side of the Twin Cities in Minnetonka, MN at Interstate 494 (exit 19A/19B). From there, it takes a 9.5 mile course towards downtown Minneapolis where the eastern terminus is at 4th Street North.

MnPASS toll lanes

There are two high-occupancy toll (HOT) express lanes at the center of the road. Prior to May 16, 2005, they had been traditional high-occupancy vehicle (HOV, or carpool) lanes, allowing buses, motorcycles, and vehicles with two or more occupants to use them during rush hour periods, while single-occupancy vehicles were not permitted. Now, drivers riding alone can use the lanes at any time, but must have a MnPASS electronic toll collection transponder in order to pay for using the express portions. However, due to bottlenecks in a few places, the Minnesota Department of Transportation relaxed restrictions to allow all traffic in at least one area during non-rush hour times.

From I-494 to Minnesota State Highway 100, the lanes are separated from traffic by double white lines. Between MN-100 and Interstate 94 near downtown, the two lanes are combined into a reversible expressway in the median that is separated from the eastbound and westbound lanes by a concrete barrier. This segment changes directions to accommodate the traffic flow at different times of day, so in the morning, it is open to downtown-bound eastward flowing traffic, while it is open to westbound traffic in the evening.

A MnPASS electronic transponder is required in order to pay tolls because there are no tollbooths on the roadway. The price varies depending on the time of day and flow of traffic. Lone drivers were previously allowed to use the express lanes in off-peak times, but this is no longer allowed under the new system unless the sign says the cost is "OPEN," meaning free. The decision to make the non-reversible lanes free on off-hours was reached due to complaints about essentially making a four-lane freeway in an area that even on off-hours sorely needed six. Toll rates are expected to generally fall between US$1 and $4, with a potential maximum of $8. Off-hours are charged as $0.25 on the reversible lanes and free on the one-way lanes. The white line-separated and reversible expressway sections are priced separately. The lanes are still open free to buses, motorcycles, and cars with 2 or more persons, no matter the time of day, and such vehicles do not require transponders to use the lanes.

Using the express lanes as a lone driver without a transponder during charged periods, or crossing the double white lines will result in a large fine placed upon the driver. To enter and exit properly, vehicles must use an entry point without double white lines. The line rule is true even when the lane is free of charge.

Transponders began to be sold a few weeks before the May 16 opening date. By early June 2005, about 6,500 drivers had signed up for the system.

History

I-394's construction was authorized in the late 1960s. Funding became available after the I-335 freeway project which was to be a northern loop around downtown Minneapolis was canceled in the 1970s, and the money was substituted to the I-394 project. Construction occurred mainly in the 1980s, starting at the western terminus and opening in sections toward downtown throughout the late 1980s. The entire route was officially opened in 1991.

A former lane drop at the Penn Avenue exit was eliminated in 2000.

Exit list

The entire route is in Hennepin County.

References

* [http://www.steve-riner.com/mnhighways/r288-694.htm#394 The Unofficial Minnesota Highways Page: Details of Routes 288-694] . Accessed March 24, 2006.

External links

* [http://www.mnpass.org/ MnPASS]
* [http://www.interstate-guide.com/i-394_mn.html Information about I-394 at interstate-guide.com]
* [http://www.ajfroggie.com/roads/minnesota/interstate/i394.htm I-394 Hennepin County]