Route description Interstate 394

interstate 394 begins on western side of twin cities in suburb of minnetonka, @ interchange interstate 494 (exit 19a/19b). there, i-394 takes 9.5-mile (15.3 km) course towards downtown minneapolis eastern terminus @ 4th street north.

legally, route of interstate 394 defined unmarked legislative routes 10 , 107 in minnesota statutes §§ 161.114(2) , 161.115(38). interstate 394 not marked these legislative numbers along actual highway.

mnpass toll lanes

there 2 high-occupancy toll (hot) express lanes @ center of road. prior may 16, 2005, had been traditional high-occupancy vehicle (hov, or carpool) lanes, allowing buses, motorcycles , vehicles 2 or more occupants use them during rush hour periods, while single-occupancy vehicles not permitted. now, drivers riding alone can use lanes @ time, must have mnpass electronic toll collection transponder in order pay using express portions.

interstate 394 heading eastbound toward downtown minneapolis. notice mnpass toll lane left

from interstate 494 state highway 100, lanes of i-394 separated traffic double white lines. between state highway 100 , interstate 94 near downtown, 2 lanes combined reversible expressway in median separated eastbound , westbound lanes concrete barriers. segment changes directions accommodate traffic flow @ different times of day, in morning, open downtown-bound eastward flowing traffic, while open westbound traffic in evening.

a mnpass electronic transponder required in order pay tolls because there no tollbooths on roadway. price varies depending on time of day , flow of traffic. lone drivers allowed use express lanes in off-peak times, no longer allowed under new system unless sign says cost open, meaning free. decision make non-reversible lanes free on off-hours reached due complaints making four-lane freeway in area on off-hours sorely needed six. toll rates expected fall between $1 , $4, potential maximum of $8. off-hours charged $0.25 on reversible lanes , free on one-way lanes. white line-separated , reversible expressway sections priced separately. lanes still open free buses, motorcycles, , cars 2 or more persons, no matter time of day, , such vehicles not require transponders use lanes.

using express lanes lone driver without transponder during charged periods or crossing double white lines result in large fine placed upon driver. enter , exit properly, vehicles must use entry point without double white lines. line rule true when lane free of charge.

transponders began sold few weeks before may 16, 2005 opening date. june 2005, 6,500 drivers had signed system.