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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,August 24,2015 Page 8 10. General Ordinances for Adoption 11. Presentations a. I-35W North Corridor Project Presentation Public Works Director Marc Culver introduced MnDOT Project Manager Jerome Adams (Contact Information: Jerome.adams(state.mn.us or 651/234-7611), with a copy of this study linked to the MnDOT website in addition to other links pro- vided in Attachment A. Mr. Culver noted that MnDOT Area Engineer Mark Lindeberg was also present for any questions that may require his expertise. MnDOT Project Manager Jerome Adams Mr. Adams' presentation was specific to the I-35W North Corridor Preliminary Design Project from TH 36 to Lexington Avenue in Blaine to the intersection with Lexington. Mr. Adams reviewed the intent to add a MNPass lane in each direction as an al- ternate to four general purpose lanes that would be cost-prohibitive due to social aspects, bridge replacements along the corridor, interchange requirements, stormwater management issues, and additional property acquisition to move ramps further out. Mr. Adams noted the long-term advantages of$120 to $180 million for the MnPass lane versus the projected $2.5 billion for the general pur- pose lanes that would serve to alleviate problems and made the most sense. Mr. Adams noted noise walls along the corridor would also be evaluated, with an an- ticipated 2019 construction timeframe, even though that would be subject to ful- filling the current funding shortfall. Councilmember Etten noted that this proposal seemed to indicate a policy that used buses for future transit improvements versus light rail options for this corri- dor. Mr. Adams responded affirmatively, especially based on previous planning stud- ies of bus rapid transit(BRT) versus light rail transit(LRT)in the median and de- termination made that this would not be the best method in this corridor due the not enough density in neighborhoods for riders to conveniently walk to a nearby transit hub. Councilmember Etten asked for additional comments regarding past presentations about adding a temporary lane north between County Road E-2 and I-694. Mr. Adams advised that this project would consider that option, with the MNPass lane considered as the base project, with other spot enhancements, including aux- iliary lanes in certain segments. Mr. Adams noted that the additional lane had been removed from the current County Road E-2 project as it was not seen as a benefit now, but he was it as more beneficial with this project. Mr. Adams clari-