The winter reprieve from road work on I-394 in Minneapolis is just about over. Weather permitting, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) plans to get back to work on its massive bridge and pavement repair project on Feb. 22.
“This work is important, but it is a significant project that will result in delays ... especially for travelers heading west from downtown Minneapolis,” said Tim Nelson, director of construction, surveys and materials at MnDOT’s Metro District covering the seven-county metro area and Chisago County. “The I-394 work will have long-term benefits for businesses, residents and motorists by improving safety and making it easier for everyone to get around.”
But getting around will be tough for the next eight to nine months as the agency carries out the second half of its $67 million project to fix joints and put new decks on 34 bridges and smooth out the road surface. The project started last year.
For starters, the reversible E-ZPass and carpool lanes between Hwy. 100 and downtown Minneapolis will be converted to general traffic lanes. They will be used by westbound drivers from late February to midsummer, then by eastbound drivers from midsummer through late fall.
More than 120,000 vehicles travel along the 5-mile segment between downtown and Golden Valley each day, according to MnDOT counts. Assuming half of that traffic goes each way, that’s 60,000 vehicles that will be forced into two lanes rather than three, with no lanes reserved for carpools and buses.
“We encourage people to plan ahead, consider using alternative transportation options and be patient as crews work to make important upgrades to bridges and roadways,” Nelson said.
Drivers getting onto westbound I-394 in downtown Minneapolis will need patience as only one lane will be available, meaning snarls could form during rush hours or when large events at Target Field let out.
Things won’t be any easier for westbound I-94 drivers trying to go west on I-394. The ramp carrying nearly 36,000 drivers a day will be slimmed down to one lane instead of two through midsummer.
