A policy advisory committee that is part of the Minnesota 36 Partnership Study has recommended that Minnesota Highway 36 between state highways 5 and 95 be rebuilt as a freeway with two interchanges, The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported Dec. 12.

The 2½-mile stretch of highway runs east-west in the eastern Twin Cities suburbs.

The proposal has already met with opposition from local businesses, who are concerned about the proposed project's effect on their operations.

The committee's findings will be taken to planning commissions in Stillwater and Oak Park Heights, MN. Local city councils will have the final say on whether the project moves forward, The Pioneer Press said.