Road work to divert I-35W bridge traffic is ahead of schedule

Last update: August 12, 2007 - 9:06 PM

Emergency road construction to divert traffic from the collapsed I-35W bridge in Minneapolis is ahead of schedule, with the Minnesota Department of Transportation reopening the northbound ramps to Hwy. 280 from Interstate 94 at 6 p.m. Sunday instead of this morning, as had been expected.

MnDOT closed the ramps over the weekend to widen the ramp connecting Hwy. 280 to northbound I-35W to two lanes. Hwy. 280 is the primary detour route from the closed stretch of I-35W and has been upgraded to temporary freeway status.

The next disruption is scheduled to begin Friday evening and run through Sunday, when MnDOT will close I-94 in both directions between downtown Minneapolis and Hwy. 280. MnDOT will temporarily widen the 3-mile stretch to four lanes by restriping the highway and converting shoulders to traffic lanes.

The aim is to complete the work before the State Fair begins on Aug. 23.

JACKIE CROSBY

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