The Minnesota Department of Transportation is out with its list of road construction projects for the year.
"Crews will complete or advance more than 200 road and bridge projects throughout the state, and those projects will improve safety and mobility, create a smoother ride, reduce congestion, improve accessibility, and support those who rely on our system," announced MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger.
She says they want the public to be aware of the projects, and use caution when driving through construction zones.
As we are all well aware, there are plenty of road construction projects already underway, such as work being done on 394 which has snarled commuter traffic going west out of downtown Minneapolis. But get ready because there are many more that will take place this year.
Daubenberger stood on the John Ireland bridge in St. Paul to make the announcement, one of the places MnDOT will focus on this year.
"Minnesota has one of America's largest roadway systems and one of the best, and it takes a lot of work to keep our roads in top shape," Daubenberger explained. "And in our northern climate, summer is when we need to do most of that work, and there's a lot of work to do to keep our infrastructure in a state of good repair during that short season."
In addition to the 200 road projects planned for 2026, there are another 51 focused on airports, water ports, and railroads.
Significant projects this year
In the Twin Cities metro area:
- Resurfacing Hwy 280 in St. Paul, Roseville and Lauderdale and repairing ramps and bridges; reconstructing Hwy 12 in Wayzata and Minnetonka
- Beginning a four-year project to build four interchanges along Hwy 65 in Blaine
- Replacing the aging I-35E bridge over Shepard Rd. in St. Paul
- Continuing reconstruction of Hwy 97 in Forest Lake
- Ongoing construction of the Hwy 169/Hwy 282 interchange in Jordan.
- This is the final year for a number of significant multiyear projects, including I-94 in St. Paul (with the John Ireland Blvd. Bridge), I-35W in Burnsville and I-394/I-94 in Minneapolis .
Greater Minnesota:
- On I-94 between Albertville and Monticello, crews will complete expanding the interstate to three lanes and making other improvements. Farther west, crews will replace or repair bridges near Melrose and Sauk Rapids, resurface westbound I-94 west of Highway 79 near Evansville, and complete major interchange improvements at the west junction of I-94 and Highway 210 near Fergus Falls.
- Repaving, constructing roundabouts and intersection improvements on Hwy 61/London Road in Duluth.
- Beginning a multi-year project on Highway 197 in Bemidji that includes reconstructing, plus increasing safety by adding roundabouts and improving pedestrian accessibility at intersections.
- Completing a multi-year project on Highway 11 in Warroad that includes replacement of the Warroad River Bridge.
- Beginning a two-year project that will reconstruct Hwy 210 in Brainerd, add roundabouts, update the Mississippi River bridge and make other improvements.
- Improving Hwy 10, Hwy 71 and Hwy 29 in Wadena.
- Completing the 11th Street underpass project in Moorhead. The three-year project includes constructing two underpasses beneath BNSF rail lines, paving, sidewalks, utility replacements and other improvements.
