Nicollet Avenue Bridge Closure and I-494 Bridge Work Impact Friday Commute

Friday Morning Traffic Overview

Commuters in Minneapolis are seeing a relatively steady start to their Friday, March 6, 2026, though long-term construction projects continue to dictate travel patterns in the southern metro. While major arteries like I-35W and I-394 are currently moving at typical morning speeds, local detours and ongoing bridge maintenance require extra travel time for those moving through South Minneapolis and near the airport.

Major Roadworks and Closures

The primary disruption for local traffic remains the Nicollet Avenue Bridge rehabilitation. The bridge over Minnehaha Creek is currently closed as part of a multi-year project slated to run through 2027. Drivers should be aware of the following detours:

• Westbound traffic: Diverted onto 50th Street toward Lyndale Avenue.
• Eastbound traffic: Guided along the two-block parkway frontage road spanning Nicollet Avenue.
• Pedestrian access: While the bridge itself is closed to vehicles, trails underneath the bridge typically remain open, though temporary shifts in path alignment may occur due to construction equipment.

Additionally, maintenance work on the I-494 bridge over the Minnesota River continues. This project, which covers the stretch between 24th Avenue in Bloomington and Pilot Knob Road, may result in narrowed lanes and lighting repairs. With the weekend approaching, travelers heading toward the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport should prepare for potential nighttime or directional closures that frequently begin on Friday evenings.

Public Transit and Rider Alerts

Metro Transit has issued several alerts for Friday morning. Bus riders should check their specific routes as construction-related detours are in full effect:

• Route 18: Buses are currently detoured off Nicollet Avenue between 24th Street and 29th Street, and again between 50th Street and Diamond Lake Road due to ongoing construction.
• Route 14: A stop closure is active at Bloomington Avenue South and 40th Street East (northbound) due to tree trimming. Passengers are advised to use the alternative stops at 41st Street or 39th Street.
• Route 7: Detours are in place for buses traveling near Highway 62 and 34th Avenue. Northbound buses are currently exiting at 34th Avenue to navigate around service road work.

Looking Ahead: Weekend Impact

Commuters and residents should prepare for significant local road closures on Saturday, March 7. The Polar Plunge 5K is scheduled to take place from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM, resulting in the closure of Lake Nokomis Parkway. Drivers are advised to avoid the Lake Nokomis area tomorrow morning to bypass race-day congestion.

Finally, standard Friday afternoon congestion is expected to build starting around 2:30 PM, particularly on I-94 westbound heading toward Rogers. Travelers are encouraged to drive safely and stay alert for construction crews as the 2026 season begins to ramp up.