A major pavement failure developed during the Wednesday morning rush hour at Hwy. 241 in St. Michael, closing part of I-94. The interstate was reopened around 4:30 p.m., but traffic was still backed up, according to J.P. Gillach, MnDOT spokesman.
A pothole several feet in diameter and several feet deep affected traffic in both westbound lanes.
MnDOT had closed the highway and routed traffic up and down the exit ramps at Hwy. 241.
At 11:45 a.m., traffic had backed up more than 7 miles to 101st Avenue in Maple Grove. For that reason, MnDOT asked motorists to "Please drive with caution and take alternative routes"
Eastbound drivers also are getting stuck in traffic. MnDOT has the freeway down to one lane at County Road 19 in Albertville until 3:30 p.m. Wednesday for bridge work.
