Significant Construction Delays on I-394 and Planned Overnight Closures on I-494
I-394 Construction Hits Full Swing
The 2026 construction season is officially active in the Twin Cities, with several key arteries facing significant impacts this Wednesday, March 11. Commuters traveling between downtown Minneapolis and the western suburbs will face the most substantial challenges as the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) continues its multi-bridge repair project along the I-394 corridor.
Westbound I-394 remains reduced to just two lanes between downtown Minneapolis and Highway 100 in Golden Valley. This bottleneck is a result of a massive overhaul that will continue through late fall. Drivers should expect heavy congestion during the afternoon rush hour. To help manage the flow, the E-ZPass lanes are currently open to all traffic with no tolls or occupancy requirements. However, with the Penn Avenue bridge completely closed for deck replacement, several key ramps remain inaccessible, including the westbound entrance and exit ramps at Penn Avenue. Alternate routes via Highway 55 or I-394 frontage roads are recommended for those heading toward St. Louis Park.
Overnight Closures on I-494
For those traveling late tonight, be aware of planned maintenance and construction closures in the South Metro. Starting at 9:00 PM tonight, crews are scheduled to close the two right lanes of eastbound I-494 between Portland Avenue and 12th Avenue South in Richfield. These lanes are expected to reopen by 5:00 AM Thursday.
A more disruptive closure is planned for westbound travelers. All westbound lanes of I-494 between I-35W and Highway 100 in Bloomington will be fully closed from 10:00 PM tonight until 5:00 AM tomorrow. This closure is necessary for ongoing bridge work near 12th Avenue. Motorists should utilize Highway 62 as the primary detour to avoid the construction zone.
Regional Alerts and Transit Updates
Beyond the major interstates, Highway 280 remains closed in both directions and is not expected to reopen until late August. In Anoka County, Rum River Boulevard is fully closed at the Seelye Brook Bridge for reconstruction, with detours posted along Viking Boulevard and Highway 47.
Metro Transit reports that most light rail and bus services are operating on standard schedules today. However, commuters at the Lake Street/Midtown Station should be aware that escalators are currently out of service due to mechanical issues. Additionally, several bus routes, including the 61 and 63, are operating on detours in the downtown areas due to localized road repairs. Riders are encouraged to check digital signage at stations for real-time updates.