Clear Morning for Minneapolis; Early I-494 Lane Closures Clearing in Bloomington

Morning Commute Overview

Minneapolis commuters are starting Wednesday, February 11, 2026, with generally favorable road conditions. While the typical winter chill persists, major arteries including I-35W and I-94 are currently reporting normal driving conditions through the downtown core. However, those traveling through the southern metro should be aware of specific work zones on the I-494 beltway.

Major Highway Updates

• I-494 Westbound (Bloomington): Early morning travelers encountered a lane and shoulder closure between East Bush Lake Road and West Bush Lake Road. According to MnDOT, this work is scheduled to wrap up by 5:00 AM today, which should restore full capacity just in time for the peak morning rush.
• I-494 (Eagan and Bloomington): Ongoing major construction continues between the start of I-494 in Eagan and 24th Avenue South. Additionally, a long-term project between Lyndale Avenue and I-35W remains active with a projected completion date in late October 2026. Commuters should expect steady traffic but no new surprise closures in these segments today.
• I-394 and I-94: These routes are currently clear, but drivers should prepare for significant changes coming later this month. A massive bridge and pavement repair project is slated to resume on February 22, which will eventually shift all westbound traffic to E-ZPass lanes and close the Penn Avenue bridge.

Public Transit and Metro Alerts

Metro Transit riders should note several ongoing service adjustments affecting local routes:

• Route 22: Remains on detour off 28th Avenue (from 56th St to 58th St) and off 58th St (from 28th Ave to 31st Ave) due to ongoing construction.
• Route 27: A stop change became effective last week for westbound buses, which now stop at 26th St E and 5th Ave S.
• Route 827: Continues to operate under a service change with adjusted northbound routing through downtown Anoka.

Weather and Safety Reminder

With temperatures hovering around 24°F and wind chills making it feel like the upper teens, roads remain dry but cold. No significant snow is forecast for today, but MnDOT reminds drivers to stay alert for crews performing routine maintenance. Additionally, a virtual public meeting regarding the Highway 280 construction project is scheduled for today, February 11, for residents interested in future transit impacts between St. Paul and Roseville.