"A history of the changing politics and participants related to decision making about and construction of the interstate system in the Twin Cities metro area from the 1950s to the 1990s. Using case studies of construction or expansion projects on Interstates 94, 35W, 35E, 394, and 335, the report identifies three distinct eras in the history of freeway construction in the Twin Cities, and offers conclusions about how politics and the role of various participants shaped the debates about these projects. Includes appendices." -- abstract from website., The Center for Transportation Studies (CTS) and the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) co-sponsored a research project designed to provide a history of major transportation decisions over the past fifty years, primarily in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Region. A major part of the research involved in-depth interviews with those who worked in and with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, as well as transportation officials in other governmental units, citizens, and elected representatives. Research at relevant archives grounded the information from the interviews with specific dates, events, and participants. The results have been integrated with maps, reports, and other recent research projects to provide an historical context and potential lessons for our current transportation development processes. This provides a detailed history of the creation of the Twin Cities highway system. The interviews provide important perspectives on the impacts of federal, state and local governments, the effects of government actions on the public, and the influence of specific events, interest groups and individuals in the public policy arena.