Thousands of metro motorists will have to find alternate routes this weekend when portions of two freeways are shut down and various festivities bring traffic jams.
A crush of traffic is expected in downtown Minneapolis where the first-place Lynx play Friday at Target Center and the Twins play Friday through Sunday at Target Field.
Fans heading east from the games or the Minnesota Fringe Festival will find barricades up on eastbound I-94 between Hwy. 280 and I-35E starting at 10 p.m. Friday.
For motorists heading west on I-94, the left lane between Lexington and Cretin avenues in St. Paul will be closed from 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday to allow crews to pour the south side of the new Snelling Avenue bridge deck.
Drivers passing through Richfield could find delays Saturday morning due to the Urban Wildland 5K and Half Marathon benefiting the Wood Lake Nature Center.
Roads will remain open for motorists, but police will be directing traffic to keep runners safe.
Part of Shepard Road in St. Paul will be closed Saturday morning for the Minnesota Half Marathon.
The Minneapolis Open Streets festival takes over E. Lake Street between Elliot and 42nd avenues from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.