MnDOT construction season plans promise a headache for Twin Cities travelers
It's that time of the year again when seemingly half of the state shuts down for construction season.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has released its 2019 road construction plans for across Minnesota, and it spells delays for commuters in the Twin Cities.
The two biggest projects you'll be aware of already: The ongoing reconstruction of I-35W between the I-94 interchange at downtown Minneapolis and Hwy. 62; and the recently announced 3-year project to add MnPASS lanes on I-35W between Roseville and Blaine, both of which are resulting in lane closures.
But there are several other projects concerning I-35W and other major Twin Cities interstates to be aware of over the next few months, which are as follows:
– I-35W Minnesota River Bridge replacement: Work on this started last week and will see alternating lane closures between Burnsville and Bloomington as the bridge and pavement is replaced between Cliff Road and 106th Street, as I-35W is raised out of the floodplain and pedestrian access across the river is improved.
– I-35 split in Forest Lake: Lane closures started on Monday as MnDOT repaves 6 miles of interstate from just south of the split to north of Hwy. 8, while three bridges are also repaired. MnDOT says that "long-term I-35 lane closures" can be expected between the split and Hwy. 97, with the potential for I-35W and I-35E south of the split being reduced at times to a single lane.
– I-694/94/494 Woodbury interchange: The southbound and northbound interchange bridges will be replaced and widened, with new auxiliary lanes and buffer lanes built, and a ramp reconstructed. Two open houses on this project will be held in April, details here.
– I-494 Inver Grove Heights pavement resurfacing: Some temporary lane closures have been in place this week and will continue till Saturday for the project to widen and resurface the bridge deck over Concord St./Hwy. 156.
Major work outside the metro
The road construction isn't just confined to the Twin Cities metro of course, there are major projects happening all over the state.
A few that could prove particularly frustrating during lake season include work on I-94 in Monticello and Albertville, as part of a three-year project to improve the interstate between Clearwater and Maple Grove.
This summer, six miles of I-94 near Albertville will be reconstructed, adding lanes, resurfacing pavement and rebuilding bridges.
The same will happen to a 14 mile stretch of I-94 between Hwys. 24 and 25 in Monticello.
Elsewhere, there will be major resurfacing on I-90 between Dakota, Minnesota, and the Wisconsin border, while the westbound I-90 will be resurfaced between Hwy. 13 near Albert Lea to County Road 46.
In northern Minnesota, seven miles of I-35 between Snake River and Pine City will be resurfaced, while four new bridges will be constructed.
Some 16 miles of Hwy. 65 will be resurfaced between Sandy River and Hwy. 200, while 25 miles of Hwy. 65 will be resurfaced in Aitkin and Itasca counties between Hwy. 200 and Hwy. 169.
You can find a full list of this year's projects here.
