Both Directions Of I-94 To Temporarily Close This Weekend In Part Of Minneapolis

Both Directions Of I-94 To Temporarily Close This Weekend In Part Of Minneapolis

As construction season continues, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is warning drivers of a full closure for a section of I-94 this weekend in Minneapolis.

The closure is due to crews shifting traffic as they continue their work on bridge repairs along eastbound I-94. A detour using I-35W, Highway 36, I-35E and I-94 will be in place.

According to MnDOT, the freeway will be closed between I-35W and Huron Boulevard starting at 10 p.m. on Friday until 5 a.m. Monday. Then, drivers will find traffic will be down to two lanes in each direction through mid-August. However, MnDOT officials say all lanes in this stretch of highway are expected to reopen for State Fair traffic.

Ahead of the lane closures, MnDOT says ramps to and from I-94 between Huron Boulevard and I-35W will close at 9 p.m. Friday, adding the following ramps will stay closed through mid-August:

• Northbound I-35W to eastbound I-94
• South 6th Street to eastbound I-94
• Huron Boulevard to eastbound I-94
• Eastbound I-94 to Huron Boulevard
• Riverside Avenue to eastbound I-94
• Cedar Avenue to eastbound I-94

MnDOT officials say Cedar Avenue will be down to one lane in each direction under the I-94 bridges from 5 a.m. Monday through early August. In addition to that closure, the Hiawatha LRT Trail between 15th Avenue South and East Franklin Avenue will also close starting at 5 a.m. Monday. That closure will last through mid-July.

“Work consists basically of doing pavement repairs. We’re doing some bridge work. We’re going to repair the bridges, a lot of surface repairs,” Kent Barnard, a communications specialist with MnDOT, said about the road construction.

“I can tell you honestly that people will experience some inconvenience, there will be delays out here,” Barnard added. “Use alternate routes and be patient, slow down, [and] leave early.”

As for whether there are more projects happening now than normal, Barnard said they’re right on pace for a normal year, adding it may seem like there is more due to the scope of some of the projects.

“We’ve got some major roads being worked on this year,” he said.

An interactive map showing current traffic conditions can be found below. CLICK HERE for more traffic news.

SOURCE: abc KSTP