The folks who maintain interstates in the Twin Cities are waiting until after the Minnesota Twins' homestand ends before closing a small stretch of highway near Target Field.

From 10 p.m. Monday to 5 a.m. Tuesday and over the same time span the next night, both directions of Interstate 94 will be closed to allow cleaning of the Lowry Tunnel, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) announced Wednesday.

Motorists will be detoured via the prohibited-vehicle route.

Not so well-timed is another closure on I-94 for resurfacing starting Friday night, when the Twins are hosting the Texas Rangers for a three-game series that is expected to draw at least 100,000 people.

Beginning at 10 p.m. Friday, eastbound I-94 from I-394 to Hwy. 55/Hiawatha Avenue will be closed until 5 a.m. Monday. Access to that stretch of I-94 will close an hour before to allow traffic to clear.

Three more weekend closures will be scheduled in the coming months.

PAUL WALSH