Maple Grove Mayor Raises Concern About I-94 Rest Stop Expansion

Expect to see changes coming to the Maple Grove rest stop area as part of the Interstate 94 improvement project.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation plans to significantly expand the Maple Grove Rest Area. It will add 12 semi-tractor trailer stalls, which is a roughly 40 percent increase in that type of parking. MnDOT says there’s a need for more spaces for truckers in the Twin Cities area.

The Maple Grove City Council had to give final approval to the I-94 project at this week’s city council meeting. But Maple Grove Mayor Mark Steffenson expressed concern over the rest area expansion because of security reasons.

“Our concern is it’s an easy draw for criminal activity, drug activity or other related activities,” said Steffenson. “My preference would be that it would go away, but if it isn’t going to go away, I want to make sure we have it secure to make it easier for law enforcement to deal with problems out there.”

A MnDOT representative at the meeting said there would be security cameras installed as part of the expansion.

Construction begins this summer on the project, which will include adding lanes on I-94 and building noise walls.

Maple Grove