Alex Burns
@alextburns.bsky.social
50 miles north of Denver! 🌌
November 12, 2025 at 6:52 AM
50 miles north of Denver! 🌌
🚨Rethinking I-94 mentioned
Now up on the non-Nebula video sharing platform. I hate to categorize any of my videos as “important” (because they all are, obviously) but this is probably one
youtu.be/NgJ998KHBpc
youtu.be/NgJ998KHBpc
I’m Not Saying Traffic Engineering Is Junk Science But
YouTube video by Ray Delahanty | CityNerd
youtu.be
July 2, 2025 at 8:47 PM
🚨Rethinking I-94 mentioned
Woke up as a very proud houseplant dad today
June 10, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Woke up as a very proud houseplant dad today
Thank you so much Laura!! The feeling is mutual!
June 4, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Thank you so much Laura!! The feeling is mutual!
Reposted by Alex Burns
We are so grateful for Alex's time with us. His work has an immense impact on growing our advocacy.
www.ourstreetsmn.org/2025/06/04/a...
www.ourstreetsmn.org/2025/06/04/a...
A Retrospective on My Time with Our Streets - Our Streets
My time at Our Streets originally began as a one-year seed grant focused on building a campaign to activate impacted communities along the Rethinking I-94 project corridor. In the years that followed,...
www.ourstreetsmn.org
June 4, 2025 at 7:13 PM
We are so grateful for Alex's time with us. His work has an immense impact on growing our advocacy.
www.ourstreetsmn.org/2025/06/04/a...
www.ourstreetsmn.org/2025/06/04/a...
Reposted by Alex Burns
Next week is Design Week. If you live near Olson Memorial Highway, don't miss this opportunity to share a meal with fellow community members and shape a collective vision for the corridor's future—one rooted in repair, reconnection, and community ownership.
www.ourstreetsmn.org/event/design...
www.ourstreetsmn.org/event/design...
Design Week - Our Streets
The Bring Back 6th Chapter of the Minnesota Communities Over Highways Coalition and Toole Design invite residents who live near Olson Memorial Highway to a multi-day design workshop to refine a commun...
www.ourstreetsmn.org
May 2, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Next week is Design Week. If you live near Olson Memorial Highway, don't miss this opportunity to share a meal with fellow community members and shape a collective vision for the corridor's future—one rooted in repair, reconnection, and community ownership.
www.ourstreetsmn.org/event/design...
www.ourstreetsmn.org/event/design...
Reposted by Alex Burns
What a tremendous evening put together by @thewaroncars.bsky.social and @ourstreetsmn.org tonight in Minneapolis. Fantastic panel of Minnesotan leaders discussing how to build campaigns to tear out urban freeways.
Make it a point to listen to the recording when it comes out in the weeks ahead.
Make it a point to listen to the recording when it comes out in the weeks ahead.
April 25, 2025 at 4:40 AM
What a tremendous evening put together by @thewaroncars.bsky.social and @ourstreetsmn.org tonight in Minneapolis. Fantastic panel of Minnesotan leaders discussing how to build campaigns to tear out urban freeways.
Make it a point to listen to the recording when it comes out in the weeks ahead.
Make it a point to listen to the recording when it comes out in the weeks ahead.
Reposted by Alex Burns
High school student Nurah Muhammed testified in support of the Highway Justice Act earlier this month, referencing the construction of I-94, and that, "unfortunately, it isn't just history." @mndot.mn.gov
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBvs...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBvs...
Nurah Mohammed Testifying in Support of the Highway Justice Act
YouTube video by Our Streets
www.youtube.com
April 15, 2025 at 7:42 PM
High school student Nurah Muhammed testified in support of the Highway Justice Act earlier this month, referencing the construction of I-94, and that, "unfortunately, it isn't just history." @mndot.mn.gov
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBvs...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBvs...
"I am pleased to introduce SF 817. This bill will enhance community engagement and strengthen planning processes to ensure that highway investments are environmentally conscious, fiscally responsible, and reflective of the priorities of local communities." - @omarfatehmn.com
April 2, 2025 at 8:39 PM
"I am pleased to introduce SF 817. This bill will enhance community engagement and strengthen planning processes to ensure that highway investments are environmentally conscious, fiscally responsible, and reflective of the priorities of local communities." - @omarfatehmn.com
Reposted by Alex Burns
Listen to the Senate Transportation Committee hearing of the Highway Justice Act (SF 817) at 3pm:
youtu.be/WB4-X3Ky-Gw
youtu.be/WB4-X3Ky-Gw
Committee on Transportation - 04/02/25
YouTube video by Minnesota Senate Media Services
youtu.be
April 2, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Listen to the Senate Transportation Committee hearing of the Highway Justice Act (SF 817) at 3pm:
youtu.be/WB4-X3Ky-Gw
youtu.be/WB4-X3Ky-Gw
I’m so excited about this news!
As a Senator, Omar Fateh has always fiercely advocated for solutions at the scale and time frame that our communities need. He’s built diverse coalitions and passed progressive policies that others gave up on. I have no doubt that he’d do the same as Mayor
As a Senator, Omar Fateh has always fiercely advocated for solutions at the scale and time frame that our communities need. He’s built diverse coalitions and passed progressive policies that others gave up on. I have no doubt that he’d do the same as Mayor
December 3, 2024 at 10:59 PM
I’m so excited about this news!
As a Senator, Omar Fateh has always fiercely advocated for solutions at the scale and time frame that our communities need. He’s built diverse coalitions and passed progressive policies that others gave up on. I have no doubt that he’d do the same as Mayor
As a Senator, Omar Fateh has always fiercely advocated for solutions at the scale and time frame that our communities need. He’s built diverse coalitions and passed progressive policies that others gave up on. I have no doubt that he’d do the same as Mayor
Thanks for sharing! Here’s the video of CM Wonsley’s response & more clips from the meeting ⬇️
This didn't sit well with many PAC members. Minneapolis W2 CM Robin Wonsley, @robinformpls.com questioned why MnDOT is preventing Rethinking I-94 PAC members from making formal recommendations.
"How did we land in a place where we are just a symbolic advisory board as elected officials?"
"How did we land in a place where we are just a symbolic advisory board as elected officials?"
Rethinking I 94 PAC Meeting 11 08 24 - CM Wonsley
YouTube video by Our Streets MPLS
www.youtube.com
November 18, 2024 at 6:41 PM
Thanks for sharing! Here’s the video of CM Wonsley’s response & more clips from the meeting ⬇️
Reposted by Alex Burns
Rethinking I-94: MnDOT going out of their way to roadblock an advisory body of local elected officials from voting on resolutions.
www.ourstreetsmn.org/2024/11/12/m...
www.ourstreetsmn.org/2024/11/12/m...
November 18, 2024 at 5:01 PM
Rethinking I-94: MnDOT going out of their way to roadblock an advisory body of local elected officials from voting on resolutions.
www.ourstreetsmn.org/2024/11/12/m...
www.ourstreetsmn.org/2024/11/12/m...
Love this little guy
November 13, 2024 at 11:26 PM
Love this little guy
You can take action here by contacting project decision makers to demand that MnDOT stop shutting community members and their elected officials out of the Rethinking I-94 process 🔽
actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...
actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...
Ask MnDOT & I-94 Decision Makers to Support the Twin Cities Boulevard
Take action to tell Minnesota Department of Transportation leadership and Rethinking I-94 project decision makers to support the Twin Cities Boulevard. Your message will be sent to MnDOT leadership a...
actionnetwork.org
November 13, 2024 at 8:08 PM
You can take action here by contacting project decision makers to demand that MnDOT stop shutting community members and their elected officials out of the Rethinking I-94 process 🔽
actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...
actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...
One final Rethinking I-94 PAC meeting clip:
MnDOT Metro District Engineer Khani Sahebjam spoke about the generational mistake that was made by building I-94 through a city and the work underway now to repair that injustice.
Time will tell if these words are accompanied by action.
MnDOT Metro District Engineer Khani Sahebjam spoke about the generational mistake that was made by building I-94 through a city and the work underway now to repair that injustice.
Time will tell if these words are accompanied by action.
November 13, 2024 at 8:05 PM
One final Rethinking I-94 PAC meeting clip:
MnDOT Metro District Engineer Khani Sahebjam spoke about the generational mistake that was made by building I-94 through a city and the work underway now to repair that injustice.
Time will tell if these words are accompanied by action.
MnDOT Metro District Engineer Khani Sahebjam spoke about the generational mistake that was made by building I-94 through a city and the work underway now to repair that injustice.
Time will tell if these words are accompanied by action.
Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter was at the Rethinking I-94 PAC meeting, and though he did raise some concerns about traffic, he called on MnDOT to continue to study the at-grade boulevard options. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kdoo...
Rethinking I 94 PAC Meeting 11 08 24 - Mayor Carter
YouTube video by Our Streets MPLS
www.youtube.com
November 13, 2024 at 8:05 PM
Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter was at the Rethinking I-94 PAC meeting, and though he did raise some concerns about traffic, he called on MnDOT to continue to study the at-grade boulevard options. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kdoo...
A boulevard would INCREASE total trips while reducing car trips.
Engineer Ian Lockwood discussed this during a 2021 presentation via an equation for vibrant cities:
"We want the number of trips of all types to go up, but we want vehicles miles traveled to go down."
youtu.be/51hGZtOBaio?...
Engineer Ian Lockwood discussed this during a 2021 presentation via an equation for vibrant cities:
"We want the number of trips of all types to go up, but we want vehicles miles traveled to go down."
youtu.be/51hGZtOBaio?...
2021 Transportation Summit: Freeway to the Future, or Road to Ruin?
YouTube video by Move Minneapolis
youtu.be
November 13, 2024 at 8:05 PM
A boulevard would INCREASE total trips while reducing car trips.
Engineer Ian Lockwood discussed this during a 2021 presentation via an equation for vibrant cities:
"We want the number of trips of all types to go up, but we want vehicles miles traveled to go down."
youtu.be/51hGZtOBaio?...
Engineer Ian Lockwood discussed this during a 2021 presentation via an equation for vibrant cities:
"We want the number of trips of all types to go up, but we want vehicles miles traveled to go down."
youtu.be/51hGZtOBaio?...
Hennepin County Commissioner Angela Conley said we get what we build for:
“The idea that the at-grade option is going to displace a bunch of trips all throughout the community, I'm not buying that right now.. these trips exist because the highway is the way it is”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIdU...
“The idea that the at-grade option is going to displace a bunch of trips all throughout the community, I'm not buying that right now.. these trips exist because the highway is the way it is”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIdU...
Rethinking I 94 PAC Meeting 11 08 24 Commissioner Conley
YouTube video by Our Streets MPLS
www.youtube.com
November 13, 2024 at 8:05 PM
Hennepin County Commissioner Angela Conley said we get what we build for:
“The idea that the at-grade option is going to displace a bunch of trips all throughout the community, I'm not buying that right now.. these trips exist because the highway is the way it is”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIdU...
“The idea that the at-grade option is going to displace a bunch of trips all throughout the community, I'm not buying that right now.. these trips exist because the highway is the way it is”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIdU...
Thankfully many PAC members weren't buying it.
Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura:
"I understand that we had a day where there was a bunch of events and a lot of people used the highway.. how do we incentive more people to use public transportation for those types of events?"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0dx...
Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura:
"I understand that we had a day where there was a bunch of events and a lot of people used the highway.. how do we incentive more people to use public transportation for those types of events?"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0dx...
Rethinking I 94 PAC Meeting 11 08 24 - Representative Sencer Mura
YouTube video by Our Streets MPLS
www.youtube.com
November 13, 2024 at 8:05 PM
Thankfully many PAC members weren't buying it.
Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura:
"I understand that we had a day where there was a bunch of events and a lot of people used the highway.. how do we incentive more people to use public transportation for those types of events?"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0dx...
Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura:
"I understand that we had a day where there was a bunch of events and a lot of people used the highway.. how do we incentive more people to use public transportation for those types of events?"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0dx...
The whole traffic segment felt like a fearmongering tactic to kill momentum for the at-grade boulevard options.
Sloboden wrapped up his presentation by saying "The point of this is to give perspective and a little bit more understanding about the freeway and how important I-94 is to the area."
Sloboden wrapped up his presentation by saying "The point of this is to give perspective and a little bit more understanding about the freeway and how important I-94 is to the area."
November 13, 2024 at 8:05 PM
The whole traffic segment felt like a fearmongering tactic to kill momentum for the at-grade boulevard options.
Sloboden wrapped up his presentation by saying "The point of this is to give perspective and a little bit more understanding about the freeway and how important I-94 is to the area."
Sloboden wrapped up his presentation by saying "The point of this is to give perspective and a little bit more understanding about the freeway and how important I-94 is to the area."
MnDOT also brought in a Texas-based traffic consultant to talk about "traffic considerations" for Rethinking I-94. Jaimie Sloboden talked a lot about event traffic and made a comparison to Florida and Texas, saying that freeway lanes are needed there for hurricane evacuations. The climate irony 🙃
November 13, 2024 at 8:05 PM
MnDOT also brought in a Texas-based traffic consultant to talk about "traffic considerations" for Rethinking I-94. Jaimie Sloboden talked a lot about event traffic and made a comparison to Florida and Texas, saying that freeway lanes are needed there for hurricane evacuations. The climate irony 🙃
Council Member Wonsley pushed back on this, and called for community oversight over MnDOT's air quality analysis.
November 13, 2024 at 8:05 PM
Council Member Wonsley pushed back on this, and called for community oversight over MnDOT's air quality analysis.
MnDOT Air & Noise Quality Program Supervisor Natalie Ries presented on how MnDOT will evaluate air quality impacts. Despite many community members asking for information about local pollution impacts, Ries said the model they are using doesn't have the capacity to answer that question.
November 13, 2024 at 8:05 PM
MnDOT Air & Noise Quality Program Supervisor Natalie Ries presented on how MnDOT will evaluate air quality impacts. Despite many community members asking for information about local pollution impacts, Ries said the model they are using doesn't have the capacity to answer that question.
Senator Omar Fateh said I-94 is one of the issues he hears about the most. Sen. Fateh called on MnDOT to create bylaws that allow PAC members to vote on their preferred option for Rethinking I-94.
"There should be some sort of democratic accountability here" www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gwn0...
"There should be some sort of democratic accountability here" www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gwn0...
Rethinking I 94 PAC Meeting 11 08 24 - Senator Omar Fateh
YouTube video by Our Streets MPLS
www.youtube.com
November 13, 2024 at 8:05 PM
Senator Omar Fateh said I-94 is one of the issues he hears about the most. Sen. Fateh called on MnDOT to create bylaws that allow PAC members to vote on their preferred option for Rethinking I-94.
"There should be some sort of democratic accountability here" www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gwn0...
"There should be some sort of democratic accountability here" www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gwn0...