Commuters will see that I-35E has a different look this morning as overnight the Minnesota Department of Transportation opened the newly paved southbound lanes between Maryland Avenue and I-94.

The lanes have been closed for months as MnDOT rebuilt the freeway to accommodate a new MnPass lane that will run from the Cayuga Bridge up to Little Canada Road. Motorists had been sharing the northbound lanes.

Over the weekend, travelers can expect to see more changes in the area. A key ramp closure includes westbound I-94 to northbound I-35E is in tap for the weekend, starting at 7 p.m. Friday. Crews will be striping the northbound lanes. The detour will take drivers to Hwy. 280, then north to Hwy. 36 and then east to I-35E.

For those traveling on northbound I-35E between I-94 and Wheelock Pkwy., be ready for delays as the freeway will be reduced to a single lane Friday night until 5 a.m. Monday. One lane will close at 7 p.m. Friday and the second at 9 p.m. Ramps from westbound I-94 and Broadway Street to northbound 35E will be closed.

Elsewhere along 35E, drivers can expect periodic lane closures in both directions as crews install lights and strip the new MnPass lane.

For those who have been wondering, MnDOT says it expects to open the following ramps sometime next week:

  • Southbound I-35E to eastbound I-94/southbound Hwy 52
  • Cayuga Street to northbound I-35E
  • Maryland Avenue to southbound I-35E.