I-394 Lane Reductions and Penn Ave Bridge Closure Disrupt Tuesday Commutes

Overview of Today's Traffic

Commuters in the Minneapolis metro area should prepare for significant delays this Tuesday, February 24, 2026, as major long-term construction projects enter a critical phase. The primary impact is felt on the western corridor, where the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has initiated extensive bridge and pavement repairs. Morning and afternoon peak hours are expected to see heavy congestion, particularly for those traveling between the western suburbs and downtown.

Major Roadwork and Lane Closures

The most significant disruption is currently located on Interstate 394. As of this week, westbound I-394 has been reduced to only two lanes between downtown Minneapolis and Highway 100 in Golden Valley. To accommodate the shift in traffic, all westbound vehicles are being directed into the E-ZPass lanes. This means there is currently no dedicated lane for carpools, transit, or toll-paying users; all traffic must share the two available lanes. MnDOT warns that this configuration will remain in place through mid-summer, significantly increasing travel times for the approximately 60,000 daily westbound commuters.

Additionally, the Penn Avenue bridge over I-394 is officially closed to all traffic. This closure is scheduled to last until November 2026. Local drivers should use detours via North Wayzata Boulevard, Theodore Wirth Parkway, or South Wayzata Boulevard to navigate around the bridge work. Looking ahead to the weekend, a full closure of I-394 in both directions is planned starting Friday night to facilitate the demolition of the old bridge structure.

In the south metro, construction continues on I-494 between Edina and Richfield. Bridge demolition and ramp reconstruction at Portland Avenue and Nicollet Avenue are causing intermittent nightly lane closures. Motorists should also be aware of shifted lanes near the I-35W interchange.

Public Transit Alerts

Metro Transit has issued several rider alerts due to the ongoing roadwork. Bus routes that typically utilize I-394 or cross the Penn Avenue bridge are being detoured. Specifically, some northbound and southbound buses are seeing adjustments near 24th Street and Nicollet Avenue to avoid the most congested construction zones. Passengers are encouraged to check the NexTrip app for real-time departure updates, as detour routing is expected to lengthen commute times.

On the METRO Blue Line, ongoing facility issues persist at the Lake Street/Midtown and Franklin Avenue stations. At Lake Street, the south tower elevator remains out of service, though the north tower elevator is available for platform access. At Franklin Avenue, both elevators are currently unavailable due to mechanical issues; riders should utilize the ramp on the north side of the station for access.

Notice for Heavy Vehicles

Effective today, February 24, 2026, winter load increases have ended for the South and Southeast frost zones. Freight operators and heavy vehicle drivers must now adhere to standard spring weight restrictions to protect thawing roadbeds from damage.