Twin Cities Drivers Brace For Busy 2026 Roadwork Season: 5 Major Projects To Watch

TWIN CITIES, MN — Drivers across the Twin Cities should prepare for another busy construction season, as the Minnesota Department of Transportation rolls out more than 200 projects across the state in 2026.

While the work is statewide, several major metro projects are expected to have an outsized impact on daily commutes, especially along some of the region’s busiest corridors.

Here are five projects likely to cause the biggest disruptions in the Twin Cities:

1. I-35W In Burnsville (2025–2026, $71.5 Million)
   Work continues on Interstate 35W from Cliff Road to the I-35 split in Burnsville, including resurfacing or reconstruction, bridge repairs and drainage improvements. The project began in 2025 and is expected to wrap up in fall 2026.
2. I-35E Bridge Replacement In St. Paul (2026–2027, $19.1 Million)
   Crews will replace pavement and rebuild the I-35E bridge over Shepard Road, along with additional bridge and signal improvements along the corridor.
3. Highway 12 Reconstruction In Wayzata, Minnetonka (2026, $50 Million)
   A major west metro project will reconstruct Highway 12 from Wayzata into Minnetonka, including resurfacing, ramp repairs and accessibility upgrades.
4. Highway 65 Interchange Project In Blaine (Multi-Year Beginning 2026)
   MnDOT will begin a multi-year effort to build four interchanges along Highway 65 in Blaine, a heavily traveled north metro corridor aimed at improving traffic flow and safety.
5. I-94 And I-394 Corridor Work (2025–2026, $67 Million)
   Major work along Interstate 94 in St. Paul and the Interstate 394/I-94 corridor in Minneapolis is entering its final year, with continued disruptions expected as projects wrap up.

Learn more about the metro-wide projects here.

MnDOT officials said the 2026 construction season includes more than 200 road and bridge projects, along with additional work on airports, ports, rail crossings and transit infrastructure.

"We have a robust 2026 road construction season ahead of us — when complete, these projects will help people get around more easily, improve safety, create smoother pavement and improve connectivity for everyone who relies on our multimodal transportation system," Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger said.

Beyond those five, dozens of other projects are planned across the Twin Cities metro. Some of the more notable include:

• Highway 280 improvements in St. Paul, Roseville and Lauderdale
• Highway 97 reconstruction in Forest Lake
• Highway 169 and Highway 282 interchange project in Jordan
• Highway 10 improvements in Coon Rapids
• Highway 212 projects in Norwood Young America and surrounding areas
• Interstate 494 reconstruction through Edina, Bloomington and Richfield
• Highway 5 and Highway 61 (East 7th Street/Arcade Street) in St. Paul and Maplewood
• Highway 77 (Cedar Avenue) improvements
• Interstate 394 work in St. Louis Park
• Highway 13 (Sibley Memorial Highway) in Mendota Heights
• Highway 13 interchange work in Savage/Burnsville
• Highway 3 roundabout project in Dakota County
• Highway 95 work in Woodbury and Afton
• Highway 243 Osceola Bridge project
• Highway 5/Stillwater Road work in Maplewood
• Cedar Lake Road and Jordan Avenue improvements
• Highway 51 (Snelling Avenue) and Hamline Avenue corridor work
• Highway 55 (Hiawatha Avenue) improvements
• Highway 5 corridor improvements across the east metro
• Interstate 35E additional ramp and corridor improvements in St. Paul
• Interstate 394/94 ongoing corridor work in Minneapolis
• Highway 212 work in Dahlgren Township
• Highway 10 resurfacing in Dakota County/Denmark Township
• Highway 25 roundabout project in Belle Plaine
• Highway 5/Highway 41 improvements in Chanhassen and Victoria

Drivers should be prepared for lane closures, shifting traffic patterns, uneven road surfaces, slow-moving equipment and delays, especially during peak travel times.

Officials are urging motorists to slow down in work zones, avoid distractions, and remain patient as crews work throughout the construction season.

Check out information on the entire 2026 construction season in Minnesota here.