Interstate 35W (I-35W) is a highway that used to be known for its ill-famed gridlocked traffic. In 2007, the highway became infamous for something even more devastating—the deadly collapse of the I-35 Bridge. From tragedy, however, came hope, as the misfortune expedited Minnesota’s state Legislature to fund a transportation package initiating $6.6 billion over the next decade to support roads, bridges and other transportation collaborations.
Now, Twin Cities, Minnesota, is one of the top cities in the country working to keep traffic at a minimum—its express lanes have flowing traffic almost all the time—or at least 98% of it. The key to reduction does not lie in more roads, but rather in smart traffic management, confirms Tim Lomax, a congestion specialist at Texas A&M University. Minnesota has reduced its traffic through various means including adding more bus-only lanes, building more light rail lines, widening sidewalks, tolling shoulder lanes, setting up adjustable signage and speed limits based on current conditions, and putting more incentive on utilizing alternative forms of transportation—like vanpooling 
, carpooling, biking, taking the bus and walking.
USA Today did a really nice write up on Minnesota’s journey to become less and less traffic congested. To read the full article, visit here.
Tags: alternative, Legislature, minnesota, Texas A&M, Tim Lomax, traffic, transit, Transportation, Twin Cities, USA Today
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