Presidents' Day Commute: I-394 Lane Shifts and Transit Accessibility Alerts
Morning Commute Overview for Presidents' Day
Happy Presidents' Day, Minneapolis. While many local workers and students have the day off this Monday, February 16, 2026, the city's transportation network remains busy with several long-term infrastructure projects. Commuters can expect lighter overall volume due to the federal holiday, but significant lane shifts and transit alerts remain in effect for those traveling through the metro area.
Major Highway Impacts: I-394 and I-494
The most substantial impact for drivers heading into the city from the west is the ongoing I-394 maintenance project. As of this morning, westbound I-394 is reduced to just two lanes between downtown Minneapolis and Highway 100. To manage traffic flow, MnDOT has shifted all vehicles into the E-ZPass lanes. During this construction phase, the E-ZPass requirements are suspended; no tolls are being charged, and the lanes are open to all motorists regardless of carpool status. This work is part of a multi-year effort to repair dozens of bridges and ramps along the I-394 and I-94 interchange.
In the southern metro, construction continues along the I-494 corridor in Richfield and Bloomington. Commuters should be aware of the following specific closures:
- East 78th Street: The road is closed to all through-traffic between Chicago Avenue and 12th Avenue. Local access to businesses is being maintained, but detours are in place for cross-town travel.
- Bridge Work: Preliminary work for the replacement of the Nicollet Avenue and 12th Avenue bridges over I-494 is underway. Drivers should watch for narrow lanes and shifting shoulders near the I-35W interchange.
- I-494 Minnesota River Bridge: Ongoing maintenance on the bridge between Bloomington and Eagan may result in intermittent lane closures throughout the day.
Metro Transit and Public Transportation
Despite the holiday, Metro Transit is operating on a regular weekday schedule today. However, several rider alerts are currently active that may affect your trip:
- METRO Blue Line: Accessibility is limited at key stations. Both elevators at the Franklin Avenue Station are currently out of service. Additionally, the southeast tower elevators at the I-35W & Lake Street Station remain unavailable. Riders requiring ADA access are encouraged to plan for extra time or use local bus connections.
- Route 27 Detour: Westbound buses are currently detoured from Lake Street. The route is running via Chicago Avenue and 26th Street before resuming its regular path.
Local Streets and Parking Notes
For those driving into downtown, Monday brings a break for your wallet: Minneapolis and St. Paul municipal parking meters are not enforced today in observance of Presidents' Day. Please note that this does not apply to meters operated by the University of Minnesota or Minneapolis Parks and Recreation, where standard holiday rates and enforcement may still apply. Finally, looking ahead to next week, residents should prepare for the closure of the Penn Avenue bridge over I-394, which is scheduled to begin on February 22.