Get ready drivers. Twin Cities metro-area road construction intensifies this weekend.
Twin City motorists will likely face significant delays as major construction projects kick off, including full closures of I-94 eastbound between Highway 280 and 35E, and sections of I-494 and I-35W.
Minnesota Department of Transportation spokesperson Kent Barnard tells the WCCO Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar that drivers will need to remember to slow down on narrower roadways - especially on 94.
"We don't have a lot of room to work in there, our construction workers need that space," says Barnard. "So we would prefer people slow down, drive very carefully and alert, and take your time through that area."
Despite the short construction season, Barnard says MnDOT is on schedule for the I-94 project.
He says despite the traffic troubles that these projects can cause, they are moving forward towards a tight deadline and a major Minnesota event looming in the near future.
"Nice, dry weather has really helped us out there," Barnard says. "We are looking at about mid-August for another full weekend closure so we can get both directions of I-94 open before the Minnesota State Fair."
Barnard says drivers are strongly encouraged to check 511mn.org for real-time updates, plan alternative routes, and exercise extreme caution in work zones.
I-94 Work
MnDOT will repair nine bridges over I-94 and I-35E in St. Paul. Additionally, a full replacement of the John Ireland Blvd bridge over I-94 will begin in early October, after the Twin Cities Marathon. The new bridge design will improve safety with sidewalk, biking and accessibility updates.
Construction will begin with an eastbound closure of I-94 from Hwy 280 to I-35E from 10 p.m. on Friday, June 27 to 5 a.m. on Monday, June 30. Eastbound traffic will be directed north on Hwy 280, east on Hwy 36, and south on I-35E returning to I-94. View a detour map.
MnDOT encourages people traveling in and around downtown St. Paul to plan ahead and review closures, especially for high-traffic summer events. MnDOT also urges motorists to always be attentive, drive with caution and slow down in work zones where workers are present.
I-494 and I-35W Work
Crews will close Interstate 494 in both directions between Highway 100 and Highway 77, and Interstate 35W in both directions between the Interstate 35W/Interstate 494 interchange and Highway 62 on June 27, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Starting at 10 p.m. Friday, June 27 through 5 a.m. Monday, June 30 eastbound I-494 between Highway 100 and I-35W, westbound I-494 between Highway 100 and Highway 77, and I-35W in both directions between the I-35W/I-494 interchange and Highway 62 will be closed. All ramps in these areas will also be closed during this time starting at 8 p.m. Friday, June 27. This weekend closure is necessary to allow crews to remove the westbound I-494 bridge over I-35W and continue drainage construction along I-494.
During this weekend closure, motorists traveling westbound on I-494 can use northbound Highway 77 to westbound Highway 62 to southbound Highway 100 to westbound I-494 as a detour. Motorists traveling on eastbound I-494 can use northbound Highway 100 to eastbound Highway 62 to southbound Highway 77 to eastbound I-494 as a detour.
Motorists traveling on northbound I-35W can use eastbound I-494 to northbound Highway 77 to westbound Highway 62 to northbound I-35W as a detour. Motorists traveling on southbound I-35W can use eastbound Highway 62 to southbound Highway 77 to southbound I-35E to southbound I-35 as a detour.
Prior to this weekend closure, traffic configuration on I-494 will shift to the following beginning Wednesday, June 25:
· Eastbound I-494 is reduced to three lanes
· Westbound I-494 is reduced to two lanes on the eastbound I-494 side from the I-35W/I-494 interchange to Highway 100
· No access to ramps at I-35W, Penn Avenue, France Avenue, or Highway 100
· Westbound I-494 is reduced to two lanes with local access from the I-35W/I-494 interchange to Highway 100