This weekend in traffic: Blue Line track work, 169 road work reprieve and graduations

If there is a silver lining to our recent Seattle-like weather, a road resurfacing project that would have disrupted traffic on Hwy. 169 has been postponed. But several other projects and light-rail maintenance projects are still on.

On a more joyous note, several high school seniors will receive their diplomas during ceremonies at Target Center in downtown Minneapolis. Multiple graduations will take place Friday through Sunday so expect lots of traffic and have patience with motorists who don't normally venture downtown.

The Twins are away, but there are a few sporting events on the calendar. The state's pro soccer team, Minnesota United FC, hosts the Fort Lauderdale Strikers at the Metrodome at 8 p.m. Saturday. The St. Paul Saints are home for a three-game series against the Wichita Wingnuts Friday through Sunday at Midway Stadium.

Blue Line track work

Metro Transit will be doing maintenance on the light-rail line in downtown Minneapolis. Buses will substitute for trains between Target Field Staion and Franklin Avenue Station from 7:30 p.m. Friday until 3:30 a.m. Monday.

Riders can board Route 55 buses, which will serve that segment of the Blue Line. Stations affected: Target Field, Hennepin Avenue/Warehouse District, Government Center Plaza, Nicollet Mall, the Metrodome and Cedar-Riverside. As a reminder, trips by bus will take longer than on the train, so those who are considering taking the train to graduations or other events need to allow additional time.

Trains will run as normal elsewhere on the line.

In Burnsville, both directions of Hwy. 13 between I-35W and Washburn Avenue will be closed from 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday. The detour will take motorists along 35W and County Road 42. The closure is in conjunction with Dakota County's project to build a new interchange at County Road 5 and Hwy. 13. Highway 169

This was supposed to have been the first of four weekends that MnDOT shut down Hwy. 169 between 77th Avenue in Brooklyn Park and Hwy. 55 in Golden Valley for a resurfacing project. That has been pushed back a week and will begin June 14.

Northbound drivers will still feel the pinch from 77th Avenue to 109th Avenue through Brooklyn Park. That portion of the highway has been reduced to a single lane since last week and will stay in that configuration until Monday afternoon, MnDOT said. The lane reduction is associated with construction of a new interchange at County Road 30, also known as 93rd Avenue N.

In Hopkins and Edina, Hwy. 169 will be reduced to a single lane in both directions starting Sunday night between the Crosstown and Hwy. 7. MnDOT will begin fixing three bridges:

Lane restrictions will be in effect until July 15.

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), also known as the Red Line, will begin operating on Cedar Avenue on June 22. In advance of that new service, Dakota County will be repaving a portion of Cedar between 145th Street and 150th Street/County Road 42.

The closure will be in effect from 9 p.m. Friday to 9 a.m. Saturday. The detour will take drivers along 140th Street, Galaxie Avenue and County Road 42.

The work is weather dependent.

Resurfacing ramps on University Avenue/4th Street

MnDOT will be repaving SE. 4th Street and University Avenues starting at 9 a.m. Friday. Motorists can expect delays on both streets between I-35W and Central Avenue. The streets will be reduced to a single lane throughout the day.

Minneapolis Parkway closures

The Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board will block off Lake Harriet Parkway all the way around Lake Harriet from 6:30 a.m. to noon Saturday for the Walker Methodist Run and Walk.

On Sunday, the Liz Logelin Foundation 5K and 10K races will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Sunday. West River Pkwy and Road from Franklin Avenue to Godfrey Pkwy. at Minnehaha Park will be closed.

Cayuga Bridge Project

Phalen Boulevard from N. Mississippi Street to Olive Street was scheduled to close Thursday and will be off limits to traffic until Saturday evening. MnDOT says the closure is related to water main work connected to the I-35E/Cayuga Bridge project.