Driving In And Out Of Minneapolis Is About To Get Even Harder

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Motorists should be ready to take alternate routes or use alternative modes of transit to get into Minneapolis for work, business or their entertainment plans as the Minnesota Department of Transportation begins closures into and near downtown starting June 8 as part of a major roads improvement and reconstruction project.

Beginning at 10 p.m. on Friday, June 8, MnDOT will close the access from Interstate 35W north to Fifth Avenue and 11th and East Grant streets into downtown and Fourth Avenue and 12th Street from downtown to I-35W south. This work is all part of the I-35W, I-94 Downtown to Crosstown project.

State and local officials Tuesday urged people to consider the many open alternative routes and modes of travel, give themselves extra time to travel, and remain patient.

“We thank Minnesota motorists for their patience as we make badly needed improvements to our aging roads and bridges in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. Better roads connect people to jobs, play, friends and family. MnDOT and its partners are working hard to build a stronger community,” said Charlie Zelle, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation, in a statement.

“We know that travel this summer in and around downtown Minneapolis will be challenging at times – but there’s so much to enjoy in Minneapolis that we encourage everyone to plan their trips ahead as they make their way downtown this summer. Taking Metro Transit or biking are other great alternatives to getting downtown.”

Additional road closures beginning June 8

In addition to the closures near downtown Minneapolis, beginning at 10 p.m. Friday, June 8:

• I-94 will close from I-394 to I-35W until 5 a.m. Monday, June 11.
• The ramp from I-94 east to I-35W south will close until fall 2021.
• The ramp from I-35W north to 31st and Lake Street will close to general traffic at least until fall 2018.
• The ramp from 31st Street to I-35W south will close to general traffic at least until fall 2018.

Looking ahead:

• At 10 p.m. Friday, June 15, I-35W will close until 5 a.m. Monday, June 18.
• The morning of June 18, I-35W will be reduced to three northbound lanes, including one MnPASS, and two southbound lanes until 2021.

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