Interstate 694

Interstate 694 (abbreviated I-694) is part of a beltway of Interstate 94 circling through the northern and northeastern portions of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. Along with the longer Interstate 494 to the south, the 31-mile (50 km) highway makes up part of the major beltway in the region. This is apparently the only interstate highway beltway in the United States that uses separate numbering in different sections (the Twin Cities area is also unusual for having an east/west-split in Interstate 35). The speed limit is 60 miles per hour (100 km/h).

There are a few intersections with other interstates:

• Interstate 94 and I-494 in Maple Grove, Minnesota. It stays joined with I-94 for eight miles until Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.
• Interstate 35W in New Brighton, Minnesota
• Interstate 35E in Little Canada, Minnesota
• Interstate 94 and I-494 in Woodbury/Oakdale

Mileposts are numbered to increase while traveling eastbound (clockwise). They are in sequence with the numbering of Interstate 494, where the numbering begins and ends at the Minnesota River. Between Maple Grove and Brooklyn Center, they correspond to the beltway numbering, not I-94 mileage.

The speed limit is 60 miles per hour (100 km/h). Interstate highways outside of the loop in Minnesota may be signed as high as 70 mph (110 km/h), but can only reach 55 mph (90 km/h) inside the loop (changes are proposed as of 2005, however).

I-694 has problems with "weave" interchanges. The Unweave the Weave project is set to begin in 2006 to disentangle I-694 and I-35E. Another project involving U.S. Highway 10 and Minnesota State Highway 51 is scheduled to begin around 2012. The Unweave the Weave project will aid in traffic flow, driver safety, and improve the condition of the roadway.

Interstate 694 was originally built in the early 1970's as the thoroughfare for the northern Twin Cities suburbs and surrounding areas. These include the cities of Maple Grove, Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Fridley, Arden Hills, Shoreview, Little Canada, Vadnais Heights, White Bear Lake, Maplewood, Oakdale, Pine Springs, and Woodbury.

Exits along Interstate 694 (from west to east)

exit 27: Interchange 494/94
exit 28: Hemlock Lane
exits 29A and B: US Highway 169
exit 30: Boone Avenue

This list is not complete, but will be completed in the near future.

References

• Steve Riner (December 27, 2004). Details of Routes 288-694. Unofficial Minnesota Highways Page. Accessed May 17, 2005.
• Minnesota Department of Transportation [1]