Some major road work is taking place around the Twin Cities this weekend, adding to some headaches for drivers.
Demolition takes place starting June 21st of the eastbound I-494 bridge over Interstate 35W. That means a bunch of closures in the south metro, including all ramps leading to that interchange.
There will also be detours for I-35-W and I-494.
These closures and detours will be in effect from tonight until early Monday morning on June 24th.
Following this weekend closure, the ramp from westbound I-494 to southbound I-35W will remain closed through early August. Motorists can use westbound I-494 to southbound Highway 77 to southbound I-35E to southbound I-35 as a detour. The ramp from eastbound I-494 to northbound I-35W will also remain closed through November. The detour for this closure is eastbound I-494 to northbound Highway 77 to westbound Highway 62 to northbound I-35W.
HIGHWAY 65
After several weather-related delays, the DOT will finally begin work on Monday, June 17 to replace the Coon Creek bridges between 143rd Ave and 147th Ave/Andover Boulevard in Ham Lake.
Beginning at 1:00 a.m. Monday, June 17th, Highway 65 traffic will be shifted to a single lane in each direction between Bunker Lake Blvd and 147th Ave./Andover Blvd. to begin the bridge replacement.
Traffic will remain a single lane each direction until work is complete on both sides of the road. Work is expected to be completed and the road fully opened by 10:00 p.m. Sun, July 28.
There will also be full closures of Highway 65. Early the following Monday, June 24th, it will fully close between 187th Lane and Viking Blvd to replace the culvert just south of Viking Boulevard in East Bethel. Access will be maintained to local residences and businesses north of Constance Blvd. up to 187th Lane. Traffic also will be allowed to cross Highway 65 between Constance Blvd. and Viking Blvd. but drivers will be unable to travel east on Viking Blvd. since the J-turn south of Viking Blvd. will be unreachable within the closure.
Through traffic will be detoured between Constance Blvd and Viking Blvd during the closure. Motorists should follow the signed detours for north and southbound Highway 65 and for eastbound Viking Blvd.
Both directions of the highway will close for approximately 23 days and should reopen by 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 17. Motorists should follow the signed detours to avoid congestion.
The detours are as follows:
- Northbound Highway 65: West on Constance Blvd, north on Round Lake Blvd, east on Viking Blvd, north on Co Rd 13 and east on Co Rd 74 to Highway 65. Traffic can then turn north or south on Highway 65.
- Southbound Highway 65: West on Viking Blvd, south on Round Lake Blvd and east on Constance Blvd to Highway 65.
- Eastbound Viking Blvd (Co Rd 22): East on Viking Blvd, north on Jackson St NE, east on Klondike Drive and south on Highway 65 to Viking Blvd.
Maps of the detour routes are available on the Highway 65 website.
There will be one additional five-day full closure later this summer to replace a culvert beneath Highway 65 just south of 169th Ave/Flamingo Drive. Please watch for more details once a date is scheduled for that pipe replacement.
Drivers who regularly use Highway 65, are encouraged to use an alternate route if possible, such as I-35W or Highway 47 to avoid congestion and delays.
HIGHWAY 36
The first of eight weekend closures is planned this weekend on westbound Highway 36 for the start of repairs and resurfacing on Highway 36.
Beginning at 9:00 p.m. Friday, June 14, westbound Highway 36 will close between Highway 61 in Maplewood and I-35E in Little Canada through 5:00 a.m. Monday, June 17.
During the closure, you'll be detoured north on Highway 61, west on I-694, south on I-35E to westbound Highway 36.
