Minneapolis Commute Alert: Protest Convoys and Major Bridge Closures Cause Significant Morning Delays

Morning Traffic Overview for January 29, 2026

Commuters in Minneapolis should prepare for a challenging drive this morning, Thursday, January 29, 2026. A combination of ongoing civil unrest related to federal operations and long-term infrastructure projects is creating significant bottlenecks across the metro area. Travel times on major arteries and through residential neighborhoods are expected to be 15 to 30 minutes longer than usual.

Street-Level Disruptions and Civil Unrest

Drivers should be alert for spontaneous traffic slow-downs in North Minneapolis and the Downtown corridor. Reports indicate that 'shadow networks' of activists are following federal agent convoys in small car convoys, often using horns and whistles to signal their presence. This has led to intermittent stop-and-go traffic on side streets and near federal buildings. Additionally, federal enforcement actions have resulted in temporary blockages and vehicle restrictions in several neighborhoods, with some reports of agents limiting access to specific blocks for media and local traffic.

Major Highway and Roadwork Alerts

Beyond the current unrest, several key MnDOT projects continue to impact the morning rush:

• I-394 / I-94 Interchange: The Penn Avenue bridge over I-394 remains completely closed for deck replacement. Commuters should follow the posted detours via North Wayzata Boulevard and Theodore Wirth Parkway.
• I-35W Southbound (Burnsville): Traffic is reduced to just two lanes between Cliff Road and the I-35 split. Expect heavy congestion starting as early as 6:30 AM.
• I-94 (St. Paul): Maintenance on the Kellogg Boulevard and 3rd Street bridge continues to cause lane shifts and periodic closures near the Highway 52 interchange.
• North Minneapolis: Expect intermittent lane closures on I-94 between the Lowry Hill Tunnel and Highway 55 due to ongoing night-time maintenance that may bleed into the early morning hours.

Metro Transit Updates

Public transit users are also facing service changes and equipment failures this morning:

• METRO Blue Line: Northbound trips departing from the VA Medical Center have seen delays of up to 15 minutes. Additionally, mechanical issues have disabled both elevators at the Franklin Avenue Station; riders requiring elevator access should utilize the ramp on the north side of the station.
• Downtown Bus Stops: Several stops along 2nd Avenue South at 9th Street remain closed for multiple routes (including the 156 and 882). Commuters are advised to use the Group G stops at 7th Street or 11th Street instead.
• Facility Issues: Escalators at the Lake Street/Midtown Station are currently out of service. Please use the north tower elevator for platform access.

With a second general strike scheduled for tomorrow, January 30, traffic volumes may fluctuate wildly today as residents adjust their schedules. Stay patient and consider alternative routes where possible.