Title
RESOLUTION DECLARING THE CITY COUNCIL'S SUPPORT FOR FORMALLY REEVALUATING THE CITY'S DOWNTOWN I-35 CORRIDOR. (REPLACEMENT)
Body
BY COUNCILORS FORSMAN, FILIPOVICH, RANDORF AND ANDERSON:
WHEREAS, Interstate 35 (I-35) presents a considerable infrastructure barrier between the city's Central Hillside neighborhood, Downtown, and waterfront; and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota department of transportation is planning to do a full evaluation of the I-35 system within Duluth's city limits; and
WHEREAS, transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Minnesota, and the city of Duluth set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050; and
WHEREAS, low-carbon transportation modes are essential to providing transportation choices and accessibility while combating climate change and reducing economic disparities; and
WHEREAS, emerging mobility options and related infrastructure such as bicycle trails, protected bicycle lanes, and low-carbon electric bicycles and scooters create local travel opportunities that are inexpensive, safe, fast, and convenient that do not rely on an interstate highway; and
WHEREAS, 54 percent of residents living in downtown Duluth (Census tract 19) live below the federal poverty threshold; and
WHEREAS, 31.8 percent of residents in the Central Hillside, Downtown, and Park Point neighborhood do not own a vehicle and an interstate highway is by default exclusive to vehicle traffic only; and
WHEREAS, the Imagine Duluth 2035 Comprehensive Plan identifies the city's desire to execute the following policies:
(a) Improve street conditions to function better for everyone;
(b) Reduce infrastructure costs through innovation and wholesale design change;
(c) Add to the transportation network by systematically enhancing multi-modal options;
(d) Improve system condition and connections in and between downtown and Canal Park; and
(e) Base decisions about transportation infrastructure primarily in the context of imp...
Click here for full text