Just in time for next weekend's Twin Cities Marathon, the John Ireland Bridge over Interstate 94 is once again open to traffic.
The nearly 60-year old bridge has been rebuilt to handle the weight of modern traffic loads.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, in his running shorts, led the ribbon cutting Friday morning as he jogged through it.
"This bridge will be the most famous bridge in Minnesota next weekend, as many of us who are running mentioned," Walz said. "It is a sight for sore eyes and sore legs when you come past the Cathedral, see that beautiful Capitol, look down at this bridge and see that finish line."
The project is part of a larger Minnesota Department of Transportation infrastructure improvement plan that has so far included 3,500 new bridges and miles of roadway reconstruction.
"This is modern infrastructure that needs to be done," Walz adds. "There are investments for the next generation. This modern construction, a way of doing things on time, on budget, right in the middle of where things need to happen and get done."
The work on 94 is continuing too, with a number of bridge repairs that will shut down a major stretch of road near Minneapolis starting Friday night.
"East 94 will be closed in Highway 55 and 394, at 10:00 tonight till 5:00 Monday morning," WCCO Traffic Reporter jerry Peterson. "The detour will take you along Highway 55 over to 100 back down to 394, so that's your way of working around it. Now, the nice thing is that the ramps into downtown Minneapolis will remain open, but it's the main lane highway, the main lanes there that'll be closed."
The I-94 bridge over Glenwood Avenue and the Green Line Extension will be the focus of the repairs this weekend.
More John Ireland Work Through September
- Marion St. Bridge between Rondo Ave. and Concordia Ave is closed to pedestrians and bicycles
Lane closures
5 a.m. Sat, Sept. 12 through late September
- Marion St. is reduced to one lane over the bridge between Rondo Ave. and Concordia Ave.
Upcoming
Information about upcoming traffic impacts will be posted as details become available. Motorists can expect road closures, weekend closures of I-94 and partial bridge closures this summer and fall to ensure proper maintenance of bridges along the highway. If you are traveling in and around downtown St. Paul, please plan ahead and review closures, especially for high-traffic summer events.
Just in time for next weekend's Twin Cities Marathon, the John Ireland Bridge over Interstate 94 is once again open to traffic.
(Minnesota Department of Transportation)
Eastbound I-94 from Highway 55 to I-394 to close Sept. 25-28 for repairs
Eastbound Interstate 94 will close this weekend between Highway 55 and I-394 beginning at 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25 through 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The closure is needed so crews can safely and efficiently repair the I-94 bridge over Glenwood Avenue and the Green Line Extension.
During the closure, traffic will be detoured to westbound Highway 55, southbound Highway 100 and eastbound I-394.
The work is part of a MnDOT project that is repairing and restoring more than 30 bridges across I-94 and I-394.
“We are on schedule and moving closer toward completing these essential repairs,” said Tim Nelson, Director of Construction, Surveys and Materials at MnDOT Metro District. “After this weekend’s closure of eastbound I-94, we will only have a few additional weekend, directional closures in the project area before we wrap up this work in November.”
Highway 55 to eastbound I-94 ramp closure begins September 24
In addition to this weekend closure, beginning Thursday, Sept. 24, the Highway 55 ramp to eastbound I-94 will be closed through Saturday, Oct. 10. Traffic will be detoured to Lyndale Ave. to access eastbound I-94.
All construction activities and traffic impacts are weather dependent and subject to change.
MnDOT urges drivers to always be attentive, drive with caution and slow down in work zones where workers are present.
Drivers are also encouraged to check 511 for real-time traffic updates and plan for additional travel time to reach destinations.
More I-394 and I-94 weekend directional closures ahead
While MnDOT aims to minimize construction impacts as much as possible, Minnesotans should expect a few additional I-394 and I-94 directional weekend closures that will be announced soon as crews move closer toward completing the project.
Eastbound Interstate 94 will close this weekend between Highway 55 and I-394 beginning at 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25 through 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28
(Minnesota Department of Transportation)
