Rush hour just got a lot worse for many commuters in the southwest metro.
Two key bridges over the Minnesota River, Hwy. 41 in Chaska and Hwy. 101 in Shakopee, are closed this afternoon because of rising floodwaters, the Minnesota Department of Transportation said.
Hwy. 101 was closed about noon, and Hwy. 41 was closed about 2 p.m. Both closings are indefinite. No official detour routes were given; drivers will be forced to seek alternate routes. The Minnesota River is expected to keep rising until it crests Thursday.
The Hwy. 101 crossing is closed indefinitely between 1st Avenue in Shakopee (Scott County Road 69) and Flying Cloud Drive in Chanhassen (Carver County Road 61), MnDOT said. Hwy. 41 is closed between Demcom Drive west of Shakopee and 1st Street in Chaska.
As the high water moves downstream, St. Paul streets along the Mississippi River are also being affected. At 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jackson and Sibley streets will be closed between Kellogg Blvd. and Shepard Road, the city said. Also Tuesday, Shepard and Warner roads will be closed between Eagle Street and Hwy. 61.
