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5 Improvements planned for I-35W North According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, paper, plastics, and organics are the top three components of our garbage in Minnesota. Reducing and recycling means less waste in landfills and more resources to make new products. To learn more, visit RamseyRecycles.com or call 651-633-3297. Calls answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Minnesota Department of Trans- portation (MnDOT) is currently studying I-35W for the addition of MnPASS Express Lanes between High- way 36 and Lexington Avenue, in order to address capacity and mobility needs in the corridor. MnDOT is working to develop an overall design for I-35W that: • Improves safety on the highway • Increases the number of people that move along the highway during peak hours • Provides reliable travel times for com- muters during peak drive times • Optimizes and reuses existing roads and bridges (without needing to acquire homes and properties) With 53,000 to 127,000 vehicles (and increasing) using I-35W between Ros- eville and Blaine each day, travel time is becoming more unreliable for peak period travelers. There is enough room in the middle of the existing road to add one lane in each direction, and MnDOT is analyzing the addition of MnPASS Express Lanes to provide a long-term benefit to the corridor. What are MnPASS Express Lanes? MnPASS Express Lanes provide a conges- tion-free travel option during peak drive times, improve efficiency by moving more people through a corridor, provide better travel time reliability, and enhance transit usage, service, and reliability. MnPASS Express Lanes are always free for transit users, carpoolers (HOV 2+) and motorcy- cles. During peak drive times, (weekdays 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.), mo- torists driving alone can choose to use the MnPASS lanes for a fee. Outside of peak drive times, the MnPASS lanes are free for everyone to use. Fees vary between $0.25 and $8, increasing when there is more congestion in the MnPASS lane. The fees keep traffic in the MnPASS lane moving at 50 to 55 mph. What’s next? The preliminary engineering and environ- mental review will be completed by mid- to-late 2016. This work includes analyzing the need for spot improvements along the corridor and the need for noise walls along the freeway. Funding for a construction project is not yet identified. If funding becomes available, construction could start as early as 2018. Get involved The best way to stay updated is to visit mndot.gov/metro/projects/ i35wroseville/, where you can learn more and sign up for project email updates. Keep an eye out for public meeting announce- ments in 2016, when MnDOT will be presenting information about proposed noise walls and the Envi- ronmental Assessment. Questions about the project or requests for additional informa- tion can be directed to Jerome Adams, at 651-234-7611 or Jerome.adams@state. mn.us. Plastic shopping bags are one of the hardest materials for recycling facilities to handle as they tangle in machinery, clogging machines and stopping the recycling process for hours at a time. Fortunately, plastic bags can easily be recycled at drop-off locations. Plastic bags are accepted at various retailers including Lund’s/Byer- ly’s, Cub Foods and Target as long as they are clean and dry. Find additional retailers through the Recycling Association of Minnesota’s It’s in the Bag program. Plastic bags in residential recycling bins or carts are no longer permitted. You can reuse plastic bags as garbage bags or to pick up pet waste. To limit the amount of plastic bags you end up with, use reusable shopping bags and avoid products with excessive plastic wrapping. About those plastic shopping bags from Rethink Recycling Fix-It Clinics scheduled Get household items fixed for free and learn valuable repair skills at an upcoming Fix-It Clinic! • Saturday, February 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Shoreview Library, 4570 Vic- toria Street North, Shoreview • Saturday, March 26, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Merriam Park Library, 1831 Mar- shall Avenue St. Paul Reduce and recycle: A resolution you can keep Free small business workshops begin March 17 The City of Arden Hills is collaborating with the cities of Vadnais Heights and Shorev- iew to hold a series of small business workshops. The first one will be held on Thurs- day, March 17, 2016, at the Vadnais Heights Fairfield Inn. The topic is Content Market- ing – how it has put the consumer in control of the buying process and what that means for your marketing. The workshop will show how to plan, create, and promote content that delivers a return. Networking begins at 7:30 a.m., and the workshop and interactive panel session are scheduled from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.. This event is free to Arden Hills businesses. by Bobbi Dahlke, Minnesota Department of Transportation