A fatal crash early Monday on I-494 in Bloomington has created major backups on south metro roads.
The State Patrol closed westbound 494 at 35W due to a crash at France Avenue.
With the closure, traffic is jammed on Cedar Avenue northbound from the Minnesota River to Crosstown, with that trip taking 20 minutes. The worst delays are on 35W northbound with 40 minutes needed to travel from the Burnsville split to the Crosstown.
"Avoid the area at all costs," Roeske said.
The Patrol shut down the freeway at 5 a.m. after seven vehicles, including a tanker truck, collided in the westbound lanes. At least one person died and one person was injured, said Lt. Eric Roeseke of the State Patrol.
The freeway is expected to be closed throughout the morning rush hour as reconstruction team investigates the crash. Ramps to westbound 494 at Penn and France Avenues also are closed.
A secondary crash on northbound Cedar Avenue at 66th Street is complicating the drive. A wreck blocking a lane on northbound 35W at 26th Street is slowing traffic heading into downtown Minneapolis.
