Major I-94 Weekend Closure and Regional Detours Starting Friday, February 13

Friday Morning Commute Overview

Commuters in Minneapolis can expect a relatively standard Friday morning rush, but significant disruptions are looming for the afternoon and evening as major regional projects take effect. While local streets remain clear, transit users and motorists heading toward the eastern metro should adjust their plans now to avoid a gridlocked start to the weekend.

Major Highway Impacts and Closures

The most significant impact to the regional commute begins this evening. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has confirmed that I-94 east of downtown St. Paul will be closed in both directions starting tonight, Friday, February 13, and remaining closed through the weekend. This closure is necessary for critical bridge work on the Kellogg Boulevard and 3rd Street structures. Minneapolis drivers heading toward the eastern suburbs should utilize I-694 or Highway 36 as primary detours.

• I-494 Corridor: Heavy construction continues along the I-494 stretch between Eagan and Richfield. Specifically, the westbound entrance ramps to I-494 from Portland Avenue and 12th Avenue remain closed through mid-February. Traffic is being diverted to the Nicollet Avenue interchange.
• I-35W Northbound: Travelers heading toward the University of Minnesota should note that I-35W northbound is currently reduced to a single lane at the Exit 18 ramp to 4th Street SE. This localized bottleneck is causing minor delays during peak hours.
• Upcoming I-394 Projects: While major work on the I-394/I-94 Minneapolis project is not slated to begin in earnest until February 22, motorists may see early utility work and signage installation between downtown Minneapolis and Highway 100.

Public Transport and Transit Alerts

Metro Transit reports several service adjustments that may impact Minneapolis commuters today. Light rail riders should be aware of ongoing mechanical issues on the METRO Blue Line. Both the south tower elevator at the Lake Street/Midtown Station and the elevators at the Franklin Avenue Station are currently out of service. ADA customers are advised to use the 38th Street Station or utilize local bus service as an alternative.

• New Route 827: Commuters from the northwest metro can now take advantage of the newly reinstated Route 827, providing frequent weekday service between Anoka and downtown Minneapolis.
• Route 27 Detours: Permanent stop changes for Route 27 are now in effect along 26th Street. Westbound buses are following a detour via Chicago Avenue and 26th Street.

Commuter Safety and Tips

With temperatures remaining slightly warmer than seasonal averages today, road surfaces are largely dry. However, MnDOT encourages all drivers to stay alert for work crews as bridge maintenance season begins to ramp up. Today also marks the final day for residents to vote in the annual Name a Snowplow contest, with winners to be announced later this month.