Minnesota Department of Transportation technicians are still working to repair malfunctioning gates that prevented eastbound motorists from using a portion of the MnPASS lane on I-394 during Friday's morning rush hour.

The special lane for vehicles carrying two or more people or for those who pay to drive in it will be open for westbound motorists as usual during the evening rush hour, a spokesman from the Regional Transportation Management Center said.

MnDOT was unable to raise the eastbound gates on I-394 at the entrance just west of Hwy. 100. That forced drivers out of the MnPASS lane and into the general lanes. Ramps from both directions of Hwy. 100 remained open and drivers were able to access the lane

As of mid morning, technicians were still trying to fix what is being called a "mechanical failure"

It was not immediately clear what led to the problem.