TUNNEL100207

Roads to close for tunnel cleaning

By Tim Harlow, Star Tribune

Last update: October 1, 2007 - 9:43 AM

The Minnesota Department of Transportation will conduct its annual fall cleaning of the Lowry Hill and Portland Avenue tunnels Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

Interstate Hwy. 94 will be closed in both directions in downtown Minneapolis from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. to allow crews to wash walls and conduct annual maintenance, such as replacing light bulbs, replacing and repairing guard rails, changing filters in the ventilation system and other work.

All traffic will follow the route set up for vehicles prohibited from using the tunnel while the road is closed.

Meanwhile, work continues on the ramps leading from Washington Avenue to Interstate Hwy. 394 as crews install a new storm sewer line.

The off-ramp from I-394 to Washington Avenue will remained closed until 6 a.m. Tuesday. The ramp will have one lane open from 9 a.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Thursday. The ramp will be closed from 9 a.m. Thursday until 6 a.m. Monday.

The on-ramp from Washington Avenue to westbound I-394 will remained closed until 3 p.m. Oct. 8.

Tim Harlow • harlow@startribune.com