State Hockey Finals and Major Interstate Work to Impact Saturday Commutes

Championship Saturday Triggers High Traffic Volume

Minneapolis and the surrounding metro area are bracing for significant traffic increases today, Saturday, March 7, 2026, as the Minnesota State Boys Hockey Tournament reaches its conclusion. With championships being decided throughout the day at Grand Casino Arena, commuters should prepare for heavy congestion on major arteries connecting Minneapolis and St. Paul. The schedule for the day includes Class A finals starting this morning and Class AA finals tonight at 7 p.m. Expect the heaviest delays on I-94 and the I-35W/I-94 interchange as thousands of fans move through the downtown corridor.

Major Construction and Lane Reductions on I-394

Motorists traveling between downtown Minneapolis and the western suburbs will face significant bottlenecks on I-394. As part of a major bridge and ramp repair project, westbound I-394 is currently reduced to only two lanes. Drivers are being funneled into the E-ZPass lanes, which are open to all traffic during this phase of construction. MnDOT officials warn that the Dunwoody Boulevard bridge area remains a primary pain point. Additionally, the Penn Avenue bridge over I-394 remains closed for reconstruction, along with the associated ramps, necessitating local detours for residents in the Bryn Mawr and Harrison neighborhoods.

I-494 Corridor and Bridge Constraints

Construction along the southern metro remains intensive as the multi-year I-494 project continues. In the Edina and Richfield sectors, several local crossings are closed, including Nicollet Avenue and 12th Avenue. Travelers heading to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport should allow for extra time due to ongoing maintenance on the I-494 bridge over the Minnesota River. While the bridge remains open, directional lane shifts and narrower shoulders have led to slower speeds and occasional rubbernecking delays near the 24th Avenue South exit.

Transit and Local Neighborhood Updates

Metro Transit is operating on a standard Saturday schedule today, though additional cars may be added to the Blue and Green lines to accommodate tournament crowds. Light rail is highly recommended for those heading toward downtown to avoid parking shortages and gridlock. On the local level, residents near Franklin Avenue should be aware of ongoing pre-reconstruction activity. While the full road closure is not scheduled until mid-month, surveying crews and temporary utility work between Lyndale and Chicago avenues may cause intermittent lane flagging throughout the weekend.

• I-94 Eastbound: Heavy volume expected between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. for evening finals.
• I-494: 12th Ave. and Nicollet Ave. remain closed; follow posted detours.
• I-394: Westbound reduced to two lanes; expect delays near the Dunwoody bridge.
• Public Transit: Use the METRO Green Line for direct access to championship venues.