According to the last post on the Arden Hills city website they have not yet given consent for the MNDOT's "prefered concept".  In a resolution they "Disapproved" it and gave their conditions for approval.

The Minnesota DOThas identified the corridor form I 35W to I 35E as an are that needs help to provide better safety and reduce delays.  They have described it as on of "The Worse Bottlenecks in the Twin Cities". on their web site devoted to the proposed project.  The project says it will address the following issues: 

• Lack of capacity throughout the corridor
• Inconsistent lane geometrics
• Deteriorating pavement structure
• Substandard deceleration and acceleration lanes
• Deficient bridges

If you drive this stretch of I 694 you have probably encountered the "Weaving " of cars in the area between I 694 and Lexington where Hwy 10 intersects.  Traffic slow downs also occur, sometimes unexpectedly.  The DOT notes that "There is only one lane that handles through-traffic at the interchange of I-694 and Hwy 51 (Snelling Avenue)/Hamline Avenue and Hwy 10."