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I-694 NON-MOTORIZED CROSSING STUDY PAGE 6 • Integrate safety: Systematically and holistically improve safety for all forms of transportation. Be proactive, innovative and strategic in creating safe options. • Emphasize reliable and predictable options: The reliability of the system and predictability of travel time are frequently as important or more important than speed. Prioritize multiple multimodal options over reliance on a single option. • Strategically fix the system: Some parts of the system may need to be reduced while others are enhanced or expanded to meet changing demand. Strategically maintain and upgrade critical existing infrastructure. • Use partnerships: Coordinate across sectors and jurisdictions to make transportation projects and services more efficient. The Minnesota Go vision also informs MnDOT’s subsequent planning efforts such as the Minnesota 20-year Statewide Highway Improvement Plan (MnSHIP). MnSHIP identifies capital investment priorities for the state highway system over the next 20 years. The current plan identifies two new investment categories, Bicycle Infrastructure and Accessible Pedestrian Infrastructure, to better account for investments that support non- motorized modes of travel. MnDOT is also in the process of developing a statewide bicycle system plan which will lead to the development of a bicycle plan for each district. The Metro District plan will incorporate the results of the Metropolitan Council’s regional Bicycle System Study as well as priority state bike routes to identify priorities for bicycling investments for MnDOT in the Metro District. A statewide pedestrian plan has also recently been authorized and will be led by MnDOT in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health. During the time of the I-694 study process, MnDOT formally adopted a Complete Streets Policy and accompanying Technical Memorandum, which provides internal guidance to MnDOT on planning and project development under a complete streets framework . The goals of the I-694 crossing study align closely with the processes identified in the Complete Streets Policy. Regional The Metropolitan Council oversees several regional planning efforts that relate to bicycling and walking in the region. The Council’s overarching long-range plan establishes a regional vision with the intent to help ensure coordinated, orderly and economic development of the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area (MN Statute 473.851). This plan, Thrive MSP 2040 was adopted in May of 2014 and identifies five outcomes for the Twin Cities Region: stewardship, prosperity, equity, livability, and sustainability. Thrive 2040 and its identified outcomes set the direction of the systems and policy plans also under the Council’s jurisdiction. Those most relevant to the I-694 Crossing Study are the Transportation Policy Plan and the Regional Parks Policy Plan. Transportation Policy Plan The Metropolitan Council’s 2040 Transportation Policy Plan (TPP) establishes regional priorities for transportation investments to ensure that the regional transportation system develops in a manner consistent with Thrive MSP 2040. The TPP is updated every four years. The TPP includes goals, objectives, strategies, and performance measures that guide and help evaluate progress toward the regional vision. The TPP places an emphasis on the integration of multiple travel modes and therefore specific strategies for pedestrian and bicycle mobility are located throughout the Plan.