Against neighborhood opposition, state advances I-35W ramp plans
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The Minnesota Department of Transportation is moving forward with plans to build a temporary on/off ramp for Interstate 35W at East Hennepin Avenue, according to the city council member who represents the area.
Council Member Diane Hofstede (Ward 3) has sent an e-mail to constituents alerting them to the ramp proposal, which the Beltrami Neighborhood Council board recently voted to oppose. The St. Anthony West Neighborhood Association has also passed a resolution backing Beltrami’s opposition.
Beltrami Neighborhood Council Secretary Arlene Zamora said board members are worried the freeway ramp could boost heavy traffic in what is currently one of Northeast’s quietiest neighborhoods.
According to its website, MnDOT plans to spend $1.5 million on a half-diamond interchange to and from the north at East Hennepin Avenue. It’s one of 13 traffic restoration projects announced by the department. Others include the installation of cameras and traffic detection sensors along Central and University avenues.
“It will also be critical for representatives of Beltrami to be present at the hearing to speak to this issue,” Hofstede said in the e-mail.
A public hearing is scheduled for Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Thrivent Financial Auditorium, 625 Fourth Ave. S., in downtown. The full text of the council member’s e-mail follows below the jump. Dan Haugen
From: Hofstede, Diane T. [mailto:Diane.Hofstede@ci.minneapolis.mn.us]
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2007 3:09 PM
To: Hofstede, Diane T.
Subject: IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING the On/Off Ramp for I-35W at East Hennepin
Importance: HighDear Neighbors:
It has come to my attention that MnDOT plans to push forward with the installation of the I-35W on/off ramps at East Hennepin. They will do this by making it part of the approval by the City at the public hearing being conducted by the Minneapolis City Council’s Public Safety and Transportation Committee’s public hearing on the I-35W Bridge (Municipal Consent Hearing) to approve the bridge replacement and design. The hearing is at 5:30 p.m. at the Thrivent Financial Auditorium, 625-4th Ave. So.
It will also be critical for representatives of Beltrami to be present at the hearing to speak to this issue. I would also strongly encourage you to contact other key neighborhoods in the Third Ward to gain support of the Beltrami Neighborhood’s position as it relates to the on/off ramp at East Hennepin.   Below please find the contact information for two upcoming meetings:
Marcy-Holmes, (612) 623-7633, office@marcy-holmes.org, they will be meeting on Wednesday, September 19th, at 7p.m. at University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave. S.E. You should contact Melissa Bean, at 612-623-7633
Nicollet Island/East Bank, (612) 340-7934, www.nieba.org, they will be meeting on Monday, September 17th at 6:30 p.m. at the La Rive Condo, Party Room, 110 Bank St. S.E. The chair is Victor Grambsch and can be contacted at pvictor@enduemonics.com
St. Anthony West passed a resolution in support of Beltrami at its meeting last night so it will be important for you to obtain a copy of this letter so you can present this too.
Diane Hofstede
Minneapolis City Council-3rd Ward
350 S. 5th St. Rm 307
Minneapolis, MN 55415
diane.hofstede@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
612-673-2203
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Filed under: Beltrami, City Hall, East Bank, Marcy Holmes, Nicollet Island, St. Anthony West, Traffic, Transportation
As a northeast resident not living near E Hennepin I find MNDOTs recommendations out of line! Why should NE be held hostage for the convenience of commuters from who-knows-where? All of us here expect more traffic as a result of the bridge collapse, but our neighborhoods shouldn’t have to bear it all! Commuters from Anoka, Forest Lake, Andover, Cambridge, etc, etc, should be paying the price, NOT US!