Stuck on Como for an hour or more trying to work your way to the Minnesota State Fair?
You're certainly not alone. We wondered if getting to the fair is worse in 2022, or if we just don't remember how bad traffic can be when fair attendance is over 100,000 people!
One major factor is a reduction in bus service to the fairgrounds - both in Express buses operated by Metro Transit, and in free park and ride lots operated by the State Fair itself.
According to the fair, in 2022 there were 28 lots near the fairgrounds shuttling people to the fair. In 2019 there were 27. In 2019 there were 32.
A fair spokesperson said there are many reasons a lot would go off-line, ranging from construction at the building to a new owner who doesn't want to participate. The fair spends $2.6 million on that park and ride system.
The Express bus system from the suburbs has seen the biggest reduction in service.
Metro Transit, Minnesota Valley Transportation Authority and SouthWest Transit operate express buses where riders park for free and pay to ride to and from the fair. In 2022 there were just 9 locations. 2021 there were 10 and in 2019 there were 17.
It's a major reduction, and all of the buses eliminated were in the north metro. According to a fair spokesperson, the bus driver shortage is to blame. This year the Express buses are largely in the south and west, because the fair's park and rides tend to be in the north and east.
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One other factor is road construction on parts of Cleveland near the State Fair in St. Paul. That may be pushing drivers to converge on similar paths at similar times.
While attendance the first two days has been high, it's not to blame for these slowdowns. Not completely at least. 121,478 attended the fair on Thursday, which is well below the record of 133,000 set in 2019. Attendance for Friday won't be available until later on Saturday.
The moral of the story: It's busy. Very busy. Expect some long drive times and long waits heading to the State Fair in 2022.
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