I-94 East Reopening Sunday Evening Following Bridge Beam Installation

Weekend Highway Closures and Reopenings

Motorists traveling through the Twin Cities this Sunday, February 8, 2026, should prepare for significant changes to major arteries as the weekend concludes. The most notable impact is the full closure of Interstate 94 east of downtown St. Paul. Construction crews have been working since Friday night to install bridge beams for the new Kellogg Boulevard/3rd Street bridge. The interstate, which has been closed in both directions between Highway 61 and the Lafayette Freeway (Highway 52), is currently on track to reopen to all traffic by 5:00 PM today. Until that time, drivers should continue using the posted detours via Highway 61 and Highway 52.

Upcoming Construction on I-494

While the St. Paul closure is nearing its end, new work is scheduled to begin late tonight on the south metro's I-494 corridor. Starting at 11:00 PM this evening, Sunday, February 8, construction crews will begin work on the westbound I-494 entrance ramp from East Bush Lake Road (County Road 28). Drivers should anticipate lane shifts and temporary disruptions in this area through early Wednesday morning. This work is part of the ongoing multi-phase improvement project aimed at adding E-ZPass lanes and replacing aging bridge infrastructure along the airport corridor. Commuters planning to use this ramp for late-night or early Monday travel should allow for extra time.

Metro Transit Service Updates

Public transit riders should be aware of several schedule and route adjustments that have officially gone into effect today. Following the permanent termination of the Northstar commuter rail service last month, the replacement bus service, known as Route 888, has implemented a new Sunday schedule starting today. These changes primarily impact departure times from the Ramsey and Anoka Park & Ride locations to better align with weekend demand. Additionally, several other adjustments remain in place across the network:

• I-94 St. Paul: Reopening at 5:00 PM today between Hwy 61 and Hwy 52 following bridge beam delivery.
• Route 888: New Sunday schedule for the Northstar replacement bus service is now active as of this morning.
• Route 27: A new permanent westbound stop at 26th Street East and 5th Avenue South is now operational.
• I-394: A frost advisory is active for the segment between Minnetonka and downtown Minneapolis.

Road Conditions and Safety

Weather conditions today are relatively mild for early February, but the Minnesota Department of Transportation has issued a specific advisory for I-394. There is a verified risk of frost on the roadway between the I-494 interchange in Minnetonka and the downtown Minneapolis terminus. Drivers are encouraged to reduce speeds, particularly on elevated ramps and bridges that are prone to icing. As construction season begins its early spring ramp-up, motorists should also remain alert for crews working near the shoulder on I-94 between Minneapolis and the western suburbs, where preliminary preparation work continues for upcoming bridge deck sealant applications.