Big events and big construction projects mark this weekend's traffic report.
Round two of the Cedar Avenue bridge repair project will complicate travel in the south metro this weekend while a closure of the reversible carpool lanes on Interstate 394 will throw a curveball to fans heading to the Twins' homestand with the Chicago Cubs at Target Field.
Here is what you need to know as you move around the metro area and head to the weekend's large events:
Cedar Avenue: After motorists suffered through hourlong evening commutes last week when southbound lanes over the Minnesota River were closed, nobody is looking forward to the northbound closure that begins at 8 p.m. Friday. MnDOT will shut down the northbound lanes between Hwy. 13 and Old Shakopee Road until June 29. Northbound drivers also can expect periodic lane closures starting at 9 a.m. Friday and southbound drivers could see fewer lanes open from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday. Motorists can use northbound I-35E to I-494 to cross the river, or I-35W. Hwy. 13 remains closed through Mendota, so that is not a good alternate to reach I-494. Pilot Knob Road could work.
I-394 HOT Lane: A repaving and concrete repair project will have the carpool lane closed between Hwy. 100 and downtown Minneapolis from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday. And again from 7 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday. The same drill for June 26-29.
Hwy. 212/Shady Oak Road: Westbound motorists won't be able to exit at Shady Oak Road/County Road 61 until Thursday due to bridge reconstruction. The detour takes drivers to southbound Hwy. 169, then west on Valley View Road, or drivers can continue west on Hwy. 62 to Shady Oak Road.
North Star Grand Prix: The starting gun for the Minneapolis Criterium goes off at 6:15 p.m. Friday, but expect road closures in the Uptown area long before. The official racecourse will affect traffic on Hennepin Avenue S. between Lake Street and 32nd Street, on Lake Street between Hennepin and Irving avenues and some other neighborhood streets.
The action shifts to Stillwater on Sunday. Getting to the historic St. Croix River town is always a tough chore, even without a huge bike race. With construction on Hwy. 36, traffic is often gridlocked back to Oak Park Heights. To avoid the mess, head north on Hwy. 15/Manning Avenue to County Road 12/75th Street. Then take a right and that will take you into Stillwater. County 12 becomes Myrtle Street inside the city boundaries. For parking, the best option is probably the city-run ramp off Myrtle between 2nd and 3rd streets.
