Minneapolis police say a body was found lying along a downtown freeway during Monday's morning rush hour.

A construction worker spotted the body along the westbound lanes of Interstate 94 under the Park Avenue bridge around 7:40 a.m., said Sgt. William Palmer, a police spokesman.

The body appears to be that of a man in his 40s, Palmer said. His identity and cause of death is not known, but there was no sign of foul play, Palmer said.

Authorities closed the right lane of I-94 for more than an hour, which led traffic to back up on both I-94 and southbound I-35W heading into Minneapolis.

The body was taken to the Hennepin County medical examiner's office, which will conduct an autopsy. Police are investigating.

Tim Harlow • 612-673-7768