Partnership holds Transporation Updates seminar
on March 11, 2010

The Wright County Economic Development Partnership held an event on Transportation Plans for Wright County at the City of Albertville Community Center on March 11 th . This event featured a buffet lunch and presentations by Terry Humbert of MNDOT District 3, Dave Montebello of SRF Consulting, Doug Weiszhaar of WSB & Associates and the I-94 Corridor Coalition and Wayne Fingalson of the Wright County Highway Department. About 55 people were in attendance. The event was sponsored by SRF Consulting and WSB and Associates.

Dave Montebello of SRF Consulting began the event by mentioning that SRF Consulting has been involved in the designing of local projects like the one-way pair in St. Michael and the proposed interchange update to I-94 in Albertville . Montebello also talked about the Metro System Investment Study, which includes all of Hennepin County up to the Wright County line. Invariably where the Met Council decides to invest in improvements to transportation corridors in Hennepin County will affect Wright County . Also, Montebello talked about the possibility of getting an extra lane on I-94 up to Rogers through the use of the MNPASS corridor system. This is one of the ways funding could be acquired to add an additional lane there.

Next, Terry Humbert of MNDOT District 3 showed the group how much funding is being planned for the next several years for the area. Although there is funding for projects above and beyond what the cost of maintenance is for this year and the next two years, the future looks bleak. Starting in 2013, funding is projected to be just barely above the cost of maintenance. Historically, Wright County has received the lion's share of the funding for new projects. In the last few years out of $147 million spent on new projects, Wright County projects received $104 million. This is due in large part to the 101 improvements in Otsego. Upcoming projects for this year and the next two include the I-94 bridge at Monticello , and the I-94 interchange improvements at Albertville . Also, improvements to the TH 25 in Sherburne County at the north end of the bridge from Monticello will increase traffic flow through Monticello . In 2012 an auxiliary lane in Monticello is planned, and in 2014 a new overlay on I-94 from Monticello to Rogers is planned. Some unmet needs include six lanes from Monticello to Rogers and 4 lanes from Buffalo to Rockford . In both of these cases the Hennepin County district would have to build their additional lanes first.

Doug Weiszhaar of WSB & Associates talked about the new practice of consultant teaming. By combining the resources of more than one engineering company, communities can get a superior engineering team. The I-94 West Corridor Coalition is an effort to get more federal support to improve the I-94 highway corridor. One project they are trying to get on the fast track is to get an extra west-bound lane from Rogers to St. Michael. This project could be done for $2.75 million. Projects like these need to have the fund 100% dedicated or earmarked in order for them to work. Weiszhaar finished his presentation by asking everyone to become a member to support the I-94 coalition effort by visiting www.i94coalition.com and making a contribution.

The Partnership exists to enhance the business climate of Wright County and to help create more jobs in Wright County . The strategies the Partnership uses to achieve its mission include being an information resource and finding technical assistance; aiding business development, providing financing resources, and providing business information and training through seminars and workshops. Also, the Partnership markets Wright County to business site locators, and maintains an excellent website, which includes a listing of commercial and industrial property available in Wright County (see www.wrightpartnership.org ). The Partnership also assists with Workforce Development and has gathered economic statistical information, which is available on its website.