Lane Reductions on I-394 and Franklin Avenue Detours for Saturday, Feb. 14

I-394 Lane Restrictions and Bridge Work

Commuters heading west from downtown Minneapolis today, Saturday, February 14, should prepare for continued impacts on I-394. As part of a major $67 million safety and bridge improvement project, westbound I-394 remains reduced to two lanes between downtown Minneapolis and Highway 100 in Golden Valley. For the duration of this construction phase, the E-ZPass lanes are open to all traffic with no tolls required, acting as general-purpose lanes to help mitigate congestion. However, motorists should still anticipate moderate delays, particularly near the Dunwoody Boulevard ramp.

Additionally, the Penn Avenue bridge over I-394 remains completely closed to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. This closure is expected to last through the fall of 2026. Motorists are advised to use the posted detours via Highway 100 or I-94 to navigate around the area. While a full weekend closure of I-394 is scheduled for later this month, today's travel is restricted to the two-lane configuration with the Penn Avenue ramps also remaining inaccessible.

Special Event: MMIR March and Downtown Closures

Drivers in South Minneapolis should be aware of a temporary road closure on Franklin Avenue this afternoon. The annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) March is taking place today. From 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM, Franklin Avenue will be closed to all vehicle traffic from 11th Avenue to Bloomington Avenue. Portions of Bloomington Avenue between Franklin and Lake Street will also see rolling closures. Commuters are encouraged to use Lake Street or 24th Street as east-west alternatives to avoid the march route.

In the downtown core, crane work is affecting transit and street access. The bus stop at 6th Street South and Nicollet Mall is closed today from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. This affects boarding for Route 14 and Route 94. Pedestrians and transit users should look for temporary signage directing them to adjacent stops on 7th Street or 8th Street.

Metro Transit and Public Transport Alerts

Public transport users should note several adjustments to Saturday schedules and routes:

• Route 14: In addition to the Nicollet Mall stop closure, Route 14 will be detoured off Franklin Avenue and portions of Bloomington Avenue between 12:00 PM and 2:30 PM to accommodate the MMIR March.
• METRO Gold Line: Following its launch in March 2025, the Gold Line is operating full Saturday service between Woodbury and St. Paul. Note that the extension to downtown Minneapolis remains in the engineering phase and is not yet in service for today's commute.
• Route 27: A new permanent stop at 26th Street East and 5th Avenue South is now active for westbound riders as of this month.

Valentine's Day Travel Safety

With today being Valentine's Day, traffic volume is expected to increase significantly around the North Loop, Uptown, and the Warehouse District starting in the late afternoon. Metro Transit is running its "B (Line) our Valentine" promotion, suggesting the B Line as a reliable alternative for those heading to evening events. As winter conditions persist in mid-February, MnDOT reminds drivers to stay alert for localized icing on ramps and bridges, even if main thoroughfares appear clear.