Motorists traveling in St. Paul soon will be able to cross Interstate 94 on Hwy. 51/Snelling Avenue, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) said Thursday. The street will reopen after 11 p.m. Friday, one week earlier than expected.

Westbound I-94 ramps also will reopen at that time.

Snelling Avenue closed May 10 as MnDOT, the city of St. Paul and Metro Transit began construction in one of the busiest areas of the Union Park and Hamline-Midway neighborhoods. Once the project is complete in late October, the residential and commercial area between Selby Avenue and Pierce Butler Route will have wider, more accessible sidewalks and new lighting, MnDOT said.

Bus rapid transit service and connections to the Green Line also will be added.

For more information about the project and to view current detours, visit the project Web page at mndot.gov/metro/projects/snellingfalconheights.

Kevin Giles