Weekend traffic: Shutdowns on Cedar Avenue, Hwy. 100 and I-494, plus Grand Old Day and Edina Art Fair

The largest street party of the season and first big art fair of the summer come on a weekend when portions of three major freeways and highways will be closed. They include Cedar Avenue, Hwy. 100 and I-494 in the west metro. See specifics below.

The roads are likely to be busy as the Twins renew their rivalry with the Milwaukee Brewers with games Friday through Sunday at Target Field. The Lynx have their season home opener against former Gopher star Amanda Zahui B. and the Tulsa Shock at Target Center at 7 p.m. Friday.

Over in St. Paul, the first-place Saints open a home series at CHS Field with games against the Sioux Falls Canaries at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday. Bette Midler holds court at 8 p.m. Sunday at the Xcel Energy Center.

Frivolity reigns at Grand Old Day Sunday on Grand Avenue and the first Minneapolis Open Streets of the season. Both are Sunday. The Edina Art Fair runs Friday through Sunday. Details are below.

A number of Metro Transit route schedule changes begin on Saturday. Most of them are time adjustments, but here is one for train riders to note: The Saturday southbound Northstar trip that currently leaves Big Lake at 1:20 p.m. instead will leave at 12:50 p.m. A few routes will be on detour this weekend due to the aforementioned festivals and special events. Check Metro Transit's Rider Alerts page for route-specific detours and changes.

Now, onto the details for those moving around the metro by car.

Cedar Avenue and I-494 in the south metro

Ahead of the full closure, ramps at Lindau Lane, Killebrew Drive and Old Shakopee Road to south Cedar Avenue will close around 6 p.m. Friday until June 15, MnDOT says.

Once Cedar is officially closed, motorists on I-494 in both directions between 35W and 35E can expect temporarily lane closures as crews install signs to warn of the Cedar Avenue closure. That work should be done by 5 a.m. Saturday.

Hwy. 100 in St. Louis Park

Southbound drivers are in the clear as all lanes will remain open except for periodic lane closures Friday and Saturday night. Those heading north will find a closure between Crosstown Hwy. 62 and I-394 from 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday.

Crews will be working on the Canadian Pacific Railway bridge. Detour: West on Crosstown, north on Hwy. 169, east on 394.

I-494 in Plymouth and Maple Grove

The new wrinkle for the weekend is a full closure of southbound 494 from the Fish Lake Split to I-394. That will run from 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday. Drivers will be routed from the I-494/694/94 split over to Hwy. 169, then south to I-394, then west back to I-494. MnDOT will open the ramp from westbound I-394 to southbound I-494 to accommodate detoured traffic.

No changes are in store for northbound drivers. Two lanes open as usual.

Several ramp closures also are in place:

I-35E in St. Paul

Detour: Use Jackson Street, University Avenue, Lafayette Road, Tedesco Road, and Payne Avenue.

For the rest of the stretch, plan on two lanes open on the southbound side and three on the northbound side. A number of ramps are closed and be prepared for new lane configurations as you pass through the area.

Snelling Avenue in St. Paul

This is not new, but a reminder for folks traveling in the Midway area of St. Paul. Snelling Avenue over I-94 is closed until late August. Traffic is being routed over to Lexington Avenue or along the official detour on Marshall and University Avenues, Vandalia Street and Cretin Avenue. NEW: Snelling between University Avenue and 94 closed earlier this week.

Grand Old Day on Grand Avenue in St. Paul

The long block party features bands, entertainment and family events. With the Snelling Avenue exits at I-94 closed, expect extra heavy traffic on Lexington Avenue and Cretin Aveue.

Free shuttles will be available along Summit Avenue between Cretin Avenue and Dale Street. Shuttles will pick up at the University of St. Thomas parking ramp at Grand & Cretin Avenues, and will stop at the corners of Cambridge, Saratoga, Syndicate, Oxford, Victoria, and St. Albans. Expect a 30 minute wait for a shuttle as Summit gets very congested during the event. They will run from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

9:00a.m. - 7p.m. free shuttle rides will be available along Summit Avenue between Cretin & Dale. Shuttles will pick up at the St. Thomas parking ramp at Grand & Cretin, and will stop along Summit on the corners of Cambridge, Saratoga, Syndicate, Oxford, Victoria, and St. Albans. Expect a 30 minute wait for a shuttle as Summit gets very congested during the event. - See more at: http://www.grandave.com/grand-old-day/general-info/getting-grand-old-day#sthash.rEIqjA7G.dpuf9:00a.m. - 7p.m. free shuttle rides will be available along Summit Avenue between Cretin & Dale. Shuttles will pick up at the St. Thomas parking ramp at Grand & Cretin, and will stop along Summit on the corners of Cambridge, Saratoga, Syndicate, Oxford, Victoria, and St. Albans. Expect a 30 minute wait for a shuttle as Summit gets very congested during the event. - See more at: http://www.grandave.com/grand-old-day/general-info/getting-grand-old-day#sthash.rEIqjA7G.dpuf9:00a.m. - 7p.m. free shuttle rides will be available along Summit Avenue between Cretin & Dale. Shuttles will pick up at the St. Thomas parking ramp at Grand & Cretin, and will stop along Summit on the corners of Cambridge, Saratoga, Syndicate, Oxford, Victoria, and St. Albans. Expect a 30 minute wait for a shuttle as Summit gets very congested during the event. - See more at: http://www.grandave.com/grand-old-day/general-info/getting-grand-old-day#sthash.rEIqjA7G.dpufHwy. 5/West 7th Street near Ft. Snelling

This has been quite a nightmare for drivers trying to get to and from the MSP Airport as the road is down to a single lane in both directions between Ft. Snelling (Hwy. 55) to Shepard Road.

Additionally, eastbound Hwy. 5 ramps to Edgcumbe Road, Shepard Road and Mississippi River Boulevard are closed through late September.

The best alternate might be to take I-35E to cross the Mississippi River, then scoot over on Hwy. 110 and skip W. 7th Street altogether.

Hwy. 13 in Mendota

Both directions of the highways are closed between 2nd Street and Lexington Avenue in Mendota at Lilydale. This will be in place until Aug. 22. Detour is via I-35E and Hwy. 110.

Additionally, Hwy 13 between Lexington Avenue and I-35E may have intermittent lane closures with flaggers. Crews are working on utilities and drainage.

Hwy. 10 in Ramsey

Kellogg Boulevard in downtown St. Paul

Kellogg is closed between Market Street and Wabasha Street until November. Additionally, the southbound lanes on the Wabasha Bridge, and the northbound lanes of the Exchange Street viaduct will be shut down for the duration of the project.

During the closure, motorists will be directed to use 7th Street and Robert Street.

Minnehaha Avenue in south Minneapolis

The intersection of Minnehaha Avenue and 45th Street isn't expected to reopen until mid-June. This closure is necessary to complete utility improvements and reconstruct the intersection.
The intersections at 46th Street and 44th Street will remain open to traffic. The existing detours for northbound and southbound traffic on Minnehaha south of 42nd Street will remain in place.

Calhoun Parkway from 7:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday for the Walker Methodist Run and Walk

West River Parkway from 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturday from Godfrey Pkwy. to E. 26th Street and Godfrey Pkwy. east of Minnehaha Avenue for the Liz Logelin Foundation 5K and 10 K.

Nokomis Parkway from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday for the Lymphomothon 5K Run and Walk.

Edina Art Fair

The Edina Art Fair will bring thousands to the area of 50th and France Avenues, and street closures, too. The fair featuring 300 exhibitors and entertainment runs Friday through Sunday. WIth part of Hwy. 100 closed, fair officials recommend taking Crosstown to France Avenue, then north.