Interstate 394
This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(November 2023) |
I-394 highlighted in red | ||||
Route information | ||||
Auxiliary route ofI-94 | ||||
Maintained byMnDOT | ||||
Length | 9.75 mi[1](15.69 km) | |||
Existed | 1991–present | |||
NHS | Entire route | |||
Major junctions | ||||
West end | ![]() ![]() | |||
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East end | 3rd and 4th Streets in Minneapolis | |||
Location | ||||
Country | United States | |||
State | Minnesota | |||
Counties | Hennepin | |||
Highway system | ||||
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Interstate 394(I-394) is a short east–westauxiliary Interstate HighwayinHennepin Countyin theUS stateofMinnesota.It is also commonly referred to by its pre-1991 name, Wayzata Boulevard, and by its other designation for most of its route,US Highway 12(US 12). It runs for 9.8 miles (15.8 km) from downtownMinneapolistoI-494in the Minneapolis suburb ofMinnetonka.At its western terminus, the roadway loses its Interstate designation but continues as US 12. I-394 serves as the most direct link forcommutersand other drivers who are traveling between downtown Minneapolis and parts of the westernMinneapolis–Saint Paulmetropolitan area.
I-394 maintains at least three lanes in each direction except under theMinnesota State Highway 100(MN 100) interchange and also betweenI-94/US 52and its eastern terminus downtown.
Route description
[edit]![]() | This sectionneeds expansion.You can help byadding to it.(May 2008) |
I-394 begins on the western side of theTwin Citiesin the suburb of Minnetonka, at itsinterchangewith I-494 (exit 19). From there, I-394 takes a 9.5-mile (15.3 km) course toward downtownMinneapoliswhere the eastern terminus is at 4th Street North.
Legally, the route of I-394 is defined as unmarkedlegislative routes10 and 107 in Minnesota Statutes §§ 161.114(2) and 161.115(38).[2][3]I-394 is not marked with these legislative numbers along the actual highway.
E-ZPass Minnesota toll lanes
[edit]There are twohigh-occupancy toll(HOT) express lanes at the center of the road. Prior to May 16, 2005, they had been traditionalhigh-occupancy vehicle(HOV, or carpool) lanes, allowingbusses,motorcycles,and vehicles with two or more occupants to use them duringrush-hourperiods, while single-occupancy vehicles were not permitted. Now, drivers riding alone can use the lanes at any time but must have anE-ZPass Minnesotaelectronic toll collectiontransponder in order to pay for using the express portions.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cc/394EastBound.jpg/220px-394EastBound.jpg)
FromI-494toMN 100,the lanes of I-394 are separated from traffic by double white lines. Between MN 100 andI-94/US 52near downtown, the two lanes are combined into a reversible expressway in themedianthat is separated from the eastbound and westbound lanes byconcretebarriers. 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.
An E-ZPass Minnesota electronic transponder is required in order to paytollsbecause there are notollboothson 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 nonreversible 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 $1.00 and $4.00, with a potential maximum of $8.00. Off-hours are charged as $0.25 on thereversible lanesand free on the one-way lanes. The white line-separated and reversible expressway sections are priced separately. The lanes are still open free to busses, motorcycles, and cars with two or more people, 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, 2005, opening date. By June 2005, about 6,500 drivers had signed up for the system.
History
[edit]![]() | This sectionneeds expansion.You can help byadding to it.(December 2010) |
The highway, a four lane divided highway, used to be designated as Wayzata Boulevard and US 12. The construction of I-394 was authorized in 1968. Funding became available after the canceledI-335freeway project in 1978. I-335 had been planned to be a northern loop around downtown Minneapolis that would have passed through northeast Minneapolis. The money was substituted to the I-394 project. Wayzata Boulevard/US 12, starting in 1982, was to be redesigned as I-394. Construction of I-394 occurred mainly in the 1980s, starting at the western terminus in Minnetonka and opening in sections toward downtown Minneapolis throughout the late 1980s. The entire route of I-394 was officially opened in 1991.
A former lane drop of I-394 at the Penn Avenue exit was eliminated in 2000.
Exit list
[edit]The entire route is inHennepin County.
Location | mi[4] | km | Exit | Destinations | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Minnetonka | 0.000 | 0.000 | ![]() ![]() | Continuation beyond western terminus; HOV/toll lanes continue westward on US 12 as well | |
1 | ![]() | Western terminus; western end of US 12 overlap; signed as exits 1A (south) and 1B (north);I-494exit 19A-B; eastbound exit to I-494 Northbound is part of Exit 1A | |||
0.748 | 1.204 | 1C | ![]() | ||
1.338 | 2.153 | 1D | Ridgedale Drive | ||
1.941 | 3.124 | 2 | ![]() | ||
St. Louis Park–Golden Valleyline | 2.946 | 4.741 | 3 | ![]() | |
Golden Valley–St. Louis Parkline | 4.455 | 7.170 | 4 | Louisiana Avenue | |
5.925 | 9.535 | 5A | Xenia Avenue / Park Place | ||
♦ | ![]() ![]() ![]() | Dedicated eastbound and westbound HOV/toll lanes, each adjacent to the regular lanes, merge into one reversible HOV/toll lanes ramp | |||
Golden Valley | 5B | ![]() | |||
♦ | ![]() ![]() | Westbound exit and eastbound entrance for HOV/toll lanes | |||
♦ | ![]() ![]() | Westbound exit and eastbound entrance for HOV/toll lanes | |||
Minneapolis | 7.749 | 12.471 | 7 | ![]() | |
8.387 | 13.498 | 8A | Van White Memorial Boulevard / Dunwoody Boulevard – Prohibited vehicles | Eastbound exit and westbound entrance for regular and HOV/toll lanes | |
♦ | ![]() ![]() ![]() | Eastbound exit and westbound entrance for HOV/toll lanes | |||
8.667 | 13.948 | 8B | ![]() | Eastern end of US 12 overlap; eastbound exit and westbound entrance; I-94 exit 231A | |
♦ | ![]() ![]() ![]() | Eastern end of reversible HOV/toll lanes | |||
8.963 | 14.425 | 9A | 12th Street North | Eastbound exit and westbound entrance | |
9.186 | 14.783 | 9B | 6th Street North / Ramp A / Ramp B | Eastbound exit and westbound entrance; ramps lead to downtown parking garages | |
9.418– 9.735 | 15.157– 15.667 | 9C | 3rd Avenue North /Washington Avenue | Eastbound exit and westbound entrance | |
4th Street North / 3rd Street North | Eastern terminus | ||||
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi |
References
[edit]- ^Starks, Edward (January 27, 2022)."Table 2: Auxiliary Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways".FHWA Route Log and Finder List.Federal Highway Administration.RetrievedDecember 22,2022.
- ^"161.114, 2006 Minnesota Statutes".RetrievedOctober 5,2014.
- ^"161.115, 2006 Minnesota Statutes".RetrievedOctober 5,2014.
- ^"Route Reference of Functional Classification (except local roads) by County, City Boundaries, and Legislative/Congressional District"(XLSX).Minnesota Department of Transportation.2014.RetrievedNovember 18,2014.