Motorists can expect major traffic tie-ups across the metro as the Minnesota Department of Transportation starts reconfiguring Interstate 94 in downtown Minneapolis just as tens of thousands of people will stream into the city for large events that include the Twin Cities Pride Festival in Loring Park and the Back to the 50s street rod extravaganza at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.
The epicenter of congestion will be on I-94 at the Lowry Hill Tunnel (details below), but drivers in the suburbs won't be immune to construction-related hassles with a new closure on Hwy. 169.
In downtown Minneapolis, there won't be light-rail service between U.S. Bank Stadium and Target Field through July 3. Replacement buses will operate instead.
In St Paul, the Twin Cities Jazz Festival at Mears Park, a Lynx game Friday at 7 at the Xcel Energy Center and Saints games Friday through Sunday evenings at CHS Field will attract crowds and traffic. So will a Loons game Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium celebrations and parades in Roseville, Brooklyn Center, a food truck festival near Calhoun Square at Lake Street and Hennepin Avenue.
At least MnDOT has opened all lanes on Snelling Avenue between Como Avenue and Hwy. 36.
With all that going on, heed the advice of MnDOT spokesman David Aeikens: "Know your route." Here is where you could find traffic jams this weekend (details below map):
Interstate 94 in Minneapolis and St. Paul
1. I-94 from Minneapolis to Brooklyn Center: All eastbound lanes will be closed between I-394 and I-35W from 10 p.m. Friday until noon Sunday. Then, all westbound and eastbound traffic will be shifted onto the eastbound lanes with two lanes in each direction. The westbound side of the tunnel will be closed for 70 days. The ramps from westbound 94 to westbound 394 and Hwy. 55 will close Saturday night. The ramp from northbound I-35W to westbound I-94 closes Saturday morning. One lane from southbound Hwy. 252 to eastbound 94 is now open.
