As a thirty-year St. Paul advocate for transit and active mobility (biking, walking), I have been following Rethinking I-94 and the Summit Avenue cycling trail issue. I have some immodest proposals.
When rebuilding I-94, limit it to electric vehicles (EVs), bicycles, running and walking. Install a genuine bicycle freeway. Deck over the vehicle lanes all the way because, even without fossil fuels, motor vehicles still emit toxic tire and brake wear and tire noise at high speed. Replace current frequent motor vehicle access with throughtrips only and OurStreets’ traditional boulevard on top. Expand Reconnect Rondo to the entire project area. Rondo is not the only vibrant community that got sliced and diced by I-94. I would add congestion pricing, but good luck with that.
I don’t bike any longer because of a bad back, but if I did, I would avoid onstreet routes, including Summit. I would also avoid shared bike/walk paths because walkers on them never get complete safety from bikers and scooters (especially electrics), too many of whom don’t ring, warn or slow…