Construction Watch: Metro's Massive Interstate 94 Project Begins

The big Interstate 94, Minneapolis to Brooklyn Center project starts Monday. On late Sunday night, eastbound I-94 lanes were reduced starting at the I-94/694 split, extending to Highway 252.

Areas that are normally three lanes will now be two, and two-lane areas will be reduced to one, with motorists having use of the shoulder, the Minnesota Department of Transportation said.

Ramp closures at Shingle Creek Parkway will begin at the end of March.

Reductions expected to be in place until mid-to late June.

Summary of work

Work on I-94 will include:

• Resurfacing about nine miles of pavement on I-94 between Nicollet Ave. in Minneapolis and Shingle Creek Prkwy in Brooklyn Center
• Repairing 50 bridges on or over I-94
• Reconstructing westbound I-94 bridge deck over Hwy 252 in Brooklyn Center
• Repairing tile in (I-94) Lowry and Portland Avenue tunnels
• Replacing guardrail
• Improving drainage and concrete barrier in areas
• Replace all entrance and exit ramps

Traffic impacts

Current

Mon, Mar. 20 through late-June

• EB I-94 reduced to two lanes between I-694/I-94 split and Hwy 252

Upcoming

Late-March through late-April

• Expect ramp closures at I-94 and Shingle Creek Pkwy

Future

• Short-term and long-term bridge and ramp closures
• During tunnel repair the following ramps will be closed:
• EB I-94 to SB I-35W
• EB I-394 to EB I-94 closed during EB I-94 tunnel repair
• EB Hwy 55 to EB I-94
• Periodic, off-peak lane closures on I-94
• The interstate will be reduced to two lanes both directions from May to August
• One side of the Lowry Hill Tunnel will be closed from May to August
• One side of I-94 will be closed for four weekends in August
• Hwy 252 south will be closed for up to three months at the I-94 bridge in Brooklyn Center
• Some parking under freeway bridges will be restricted during repairs
• The WB I-94 ramp from NB I-35W will be closed during Lowry Tunnel construction
  • Detour: WB Hwy 62 to NB Hwy 100
• The EB I-394 ramp to EB I-94 closed during eastbound work on Lowry Tunnel
  • Detour: SB Hwy 100 to EB Hwy 62 to NB I-35W

Truck traffic

• All trucks weighing more than 9,000 pounds will be prohibited from the Lowry Hill Tunnel during project work

Image via Google Streetview