Minnesota

City: 
Minneapolis
Facilities: 
I-35W
Facility Type: 
Freeway shoulder
Description: 
MnPASS Express Lanes; north of 42nd Street; converted left shoulder open to buses, carpoolers, and MnPASS expresss lane for SOV during certain times when traffic is congested;
Objectives: 
Improve traffic flow using transit and tolling.
Date Implemented: 
2009
Date Terminated: 
N/A
Other Information: 
Part of the Minnesota Urban Partnership Agreement; lanes were previously BOS
Operational Information
Allowed Vehicles: 
All vehicles
Operating Partners: 
Mn/DOT
Operational Hours: 
During times when traffic along the facility is congested.
Conditions: 
Deployed with variable speed limits on general purpose lanes.
Maximum Speed: 
Free-flow freeway speeds
Oversize Vehicles: 
Only 2-axle trucks weighing less than 26,000 pounds can use the MnPASS Express Lanes
Geometric Features
Cross Section Details: 
17 ft to 19 ft between the barrier and edgeline striping
Treatment at Interchanges: 
N/A
Handling of Inlets: 
N/A
Handling of Rumble Strips: 
N/A
Guardrail and Fixed Objects: 
N/A
Pull Off Areas: 
Located off the right shoulder
Pavement: 
entire facility was resurfaced as a result of the project
Traffic Control Devices
Pavement Markings: 
Yellow edgeline and diamond on shoulder
Overhead Signs and Signals: 
Overhead gantries spaced every 1/2 mile including static signs and DMS inserts indicating price; Lane Control Signals
Ground Mounted Signs: 
N/A
ITS: 
Typical cameras, loop detection, added gantries with VSL and LCS signs.
Performance Measures
Monitoring Responsibilities: 
Mn/DOT
Operational Effectiveness: 
Working very well; full impact of shoulder lane will occur starting next year after the related Crosstown project is done. For now there is no congestion in that area, but is operating as planned.
Safety Evaluation: 
Operating as planned and operating safely.
Costs: 
$13 million, including new surface on all lanes in the area
Enforcement
Responsibility: 
Minnesota State Patrol
Fines: 
unknown
Approach: 
visual inspection
Maintenance: 
MnDOT responsible
Incident Reponse
Responsibilties: 
Response primarily handled by Minnesota State Patrol; Freeway Incident Response Safety Team (FIRST) handled by MnDOT was stepped up coverage of this area
Average Response Time: 
Too early for results.
Strategies: 
Emergency pull-outs installed along right shoulder to facilitate emergency use.
Institutional Issues
Liability: 
None
Public Outreach: 
Extensive
Legislation: 
None