I-394 Closed and Light Rail Offline: Major Commute Delays This Sunday

Major Closure on I-394 for Bridge Demolition

Minneapolis commuters should be prepared for significant disruptions today, Sunday, March 1, 2026, as the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has completely closed Interstate 394 in both directions. The closure spans from Highway 100 in Golden Valley to the I-94 interchange in downtown Minneapolis. This full shutdown began Friday night and is scheduled to remain in place until 5 a.m. Monday, March 2. The closure is necessary to facilitate the safe demolition of the Penn Avenue bridge, which is being replaced as part of a $67 million corridor improvement project.

Drivers heading into or out of the city are being detoured to Highway 100 and I-94. MnDOT officials warn of heavy congestion on these alternate routes and advise motorists to allow at least an additional 20 to 30 minutes of travel time. In addition to the main highway closure, the Penn Avenue bridge itself will remain closed to all traffic through November 2026. Local residents in the Bryn Mawr and Harrison neighborhoods should expect increased traffic on residential streets as drivers navigate the detour.

Metro Transit: Light Rail and Nicollet Mall Disruptions

Public transit users are also facing a challenging Sunday. A major maintenance-related shutdown is currently affecting both the METRO Blue and Green lines. Light rail service is suspended between the Franklin Avenue and Target Field stations for the Blue Line, and between Stadium Village and Target Field for the Green Line. Replacement bus bridges are in operation to move passengers between these points, but riders should expect longer-than-usual trip times due to increased surface street traffic.

Furthermore, several bus routes—including Routes 10, 11, 17, and 18—remain detoured off Nicollet Mall between 7th Street and 8th Street. This is due to ongoing infrastructure work that began yesterday. Commuters using these lines should use boarding locations on Marquette Avenue or Hennepin Avenue where indicated by temporary signage. Route 18 users should also note that separate detours remain active on Nicollet Avenue from 77th Street to American Boulevard and between 24th and 29th Streets.

Regional Roadworks and Ramp Closures

Beyond the primary I-394 project, other regional bottlenecks are active this weekend:

• I-494 (Bloomington/Eagan): Maintenance continues on the I-494 bridge over the Minnesota River. While the bridge remains open, lane restrictions and periodic ramp closures near the MSP Airport may cause delays for those traveling to the terminals.
• Westbound I-394 Ramps: Even after the main highway reopens Monday, the ramps from Lyndale Avenue and Linden Avenue to westbound I-394 will remain closed for long-term construction through mid-summer.
• Hwy 12: Early preparation work for pavement preservation between Wayzata and Minnetonka has begun, with intermittent lane closures expected to increase as the spring season progresses.

Minneapolis News encourages all residents to check real-time traffic maps before departing and to consider using the METRO Orange Line or Northstar Commuter Rail where possible to avoid the central construction zones.