A paving project that brought sizeable delays for motorists on Interstate 94 last fall resumes today and will be in place until July.
Lane restrictions between County Road 75 in St. Cloud and Hwy. 24 in Clearwater will be in place 24 hours a day except on Memorial Day weekend, May 24-27, and from July 2-6 for Independence Day weekend.
More than 42,000 vehicles use the 7.5-mile segment on average each day, and as a result, major backups are expected during peak travel times, Minnesota Department of Transportation offcials said.
Backups of 20 miles could develop, officials said.
The longest traffic jams are expected on westbound I-94 on Friday afternoons and evenings, and on eastbound 94 on Friday afternoons and Sundays.
At other times, backups could average five to seven miles.
Crews did preparation work last fall. This year new concrete will be poured, new guard rails installed and drainage will be improved.
The project will cost $16.4 million.
