Be aware of these Minnesota road, lane closures on Memorial Day weekend
There are anticipated to be 41.5 million vehicles on American roads this Memorial Day weekend.
That's according to AAA, which estimates there will be 5 percent more journeys undertaken than last year's Memorial Day weekend.
In Minnesota, many will be heading out Friday afternoon for the weekend, but in doing so they'll have to contend with road and lane closures thanks to the state's ongoing road construction season.
There are no new projects starting this weekend for Twin Cities travelers, but there are many already underway that will likely cause headaches on the roads.
You can see a full list of Twin Cities projects here, and Greater Minnesota projects here.
Here are some of the major ones from around the state you should be aware of:
NB I-35W to WB I-94 in Minneapolis
Just south of downtown, the ramp from northbound I-35W to westbound I-94 is closed through 2021. Drivers are being directed to stay on I-35W till they reach westbound I-694 in the north metro, before hooking back up with I-94.
Hwy. 169 from St. Peter to Le Sueur
If you're heading into southeast Minnesota, or if you're in southeast Minnesota to the Twin Cities, be aware that Hwy. 169 is reduced to single lane traffic for 10 miles between St. Peter and Le Sueur.
There is also single lane traffic on sections of Hwy. 169 in Jordan and Champlin.
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Hwy. 63 between Rochester and Zumbro Falls
The highway is closed in both directions because of repaving and culvert replacement work, which won't be finished till late August. The detour via Hwy. 52 and Hwy. 60 adds 17 miles to the journey.
U.S. 71 between Hwys. 23 (near Spicer) and 55 (Belgrade).
The road is closed in both directions between these points until September 1. The lengthy diversion for anyone coming northbound from Willmar, or southbound from Belgrade, sends drivers via Paynesville, using Hwys. 55 and 23.
Hwy. 1 in northeast Minnesota
If you're headed for the Boundary Waters and using Ely as a base, be aware that sections of Hwy. 1 may be reduced to a single lane, with flaggers controlling when traffic is allowed to go north and south.
There are two impacted stretches between Isabella and Ely.
Hwy 38 Pughole Lake to Marcell
North of Grand Rapids, Hwy. 38 is closed between Pughole Lake and Marcell, leading to this long detour.
