This webpage is not updated over the weekend/overnight. For up-to-date information on traffic impacts, visit 511mn.org.
Traffic impacts
All traffic impacts are tentative and weather dependent. Local access to all businesses and residences will be maintained throughout construction.
Current
Road closures
10 p.m. Fri, Sept. 20 through 5 a.m. Sun, Sept. 22; 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly
- NB I-35W is closed between 82nd St. and 66th St.
Through mid-September
- 79th St./Southtown Dr. is closed in both directions between Xerxes Ave. and Penn Ave.
Mon, April 29 through October
- 78th St. (south of I-494) is closed in both directions between Portland Ave. and Chicago Ave. Access to 78th St. from Portland Ave. is permanently closed.
Lane closures
March through late summer; 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly
- Expect intermittent lane closures on I-494 in both directions between E. Bush Lake Rd. and 12th Ave. N.
- Short term lane closures on I-35W in both directions between 82nd St. and 76th St.
Ramp closures
8 p.m. Fri, Sept. 20 through 5 p.m. Mon, Sept. 23
- The ramp from EB I-494 to Lyndale Ave. is closed
10 p.m. Fri, Sept. 20 through Sat, Sept. 21
- The ramp from WB I-494 to NB I-35W is closed
- The ramp from 82nd St. to NB I-35W is closed
Wed, Sept. 18 through Wed, Sept. 25
- The ramp from Penn Ave. to WB I-494 is closed
5 a.m. Mon, Sept. 9 through Fri, Nov. 15
- The ramp from NB Hwy 100 to EB I-494 is closed
5 a.m. Mon, Aug. 19 through mid-October
- The ramp from EB I-494 to Penn Ave. is closed
Mon, June 24 through early October
- The ramp from NB France Ave. to EB I-494 is closed
Wed, July 24 through mid-November
- The ramp from EB I-494 to France Ave. is closed
Through November
- The ramp from EB I-494 to NB I-35W is closed
- The ramp from SB I-35W to EB I-494 is closed
- The ramp from SB France Ave. to EB I-494 is closed
- The ramp from Penn Ave. to EB I-494 is closed
Upcoming
Information about upcoming traffic impacts will be posted as details become available. Motorists can expect several weekend, nighttime, and directional closures along I-494 and I-35W. Ramps and loops will be closed at various times for construction. There will also be lane and road closures on local roadways near I-494.
Road closures
10 p.m. Wed, Sept. 25 through 5 a.m. Thu, Sept. 26
- NB I-35W is closed between 82nd St. and 66th St.
10 p.m. Wed, Sept. 25 through 5 a.m. Thu, Sept. 26
- SB I-35W is closed between 66th St. and 82nd St.
10 p.m. Fri, Oct. 11 through 5 a.m. Mon, Oct. 14
- WB I-494 is closed between I-35W and Hwy 100
- EB I-494 is closed between Hwy 100 and I-35W
10 p.m. Fri, Oct. 25 through 5 a.m. Mon, Oct. 28
- WB I-494 is closed between Hwy 77 and I-35W
- EB I-494 is closed between Hwy 100 and Hwy 77
Lane closures
Mon, Sept. 23 through mid-October
- Penn Ave. is reduced to one lane in both directions between W. 79th St. and W. 78th St.
Ramp closures
10 p.m. Sat, Sept. 21 through Sun, Sept. 22
- The ramp from WB I-494 to NB I-35W is closed
- The ramp from 82nd St. to NB I-35W is closed
5 a.m. Tue, Sept. 24 through 5 a.m. Tue, Oct. 8
- The ramp from WB I-494 to SB Penn Ave. is closed
10 p.m. Wed, Sept. 25 through 5 a.m. Thu, Sept. 26
- The ramp from WB I-494 to SB I-35W is closed
- The ramp from NB I-35W to WB I-494 is closed
Late September/early October
- The ramp from EB I-494 to SB I-35W is closed
8 p.m. Fri, Oct. 11 through 5 a.m. Mon, Oct. 14
- All ramps along I-494 between Hwy 100 and I-35W are closed
10 p.m. Fri, Oct. 25 through 5 a.m. Mon, Oct. 28
- All ramps along I-494 between Hwy 100 and Hwy 77 are closed
About this project
We are constructing E-ZPass lanes on I-494 from Hwy 100 to I-35W in each direction and adding a new ramp at the I-35W and I-494 interchange. We are also replacing the bridges crossing over I-494 at Portland Ave., Nicollet Ave., and 12th Ave., and adding a new pedestrian bridge at Chicago Ave. that crosses over I-494 to provide an additional pedestrian and bicycle connection across I-494.
When work is completed, the E-ZPass lanes and the new ramp at the I-35W and I-494 interchange will address congestion on the interstate. The new bridges at Portland, Nicollet, and 12th Ave. will accommodate future traffic levels, provide wider, accessible sidewalks, new bike lanes, and upgrades to some transit stations. We will be removing access to I-494 from Nicollet Ave. and 12th Ave., but will provide full access to I-494 from Portland Ave.
This is the first of four construction projects that are part of the I-494: Airport to Hwy 169 vision.
Summary of work
- Add EZ-Pass lane on I-494 in both directions from Hwy 100 to I-35W
- Modify interchanges along I-494 at Penn Ave., I-35W, Nicollet Ave., Portland Ave., and 12th Ave. and at I-35W/82nd St.
- Reconstruct and repair pavement on I-494 and local roads
- Reconfigure I-35W/I-494 interchange
- Replace bridges at Nicollet Ave., Portland Ave., 12th Ave., and I-494 over I-35W
- Repair bridges at France Ave. and Penn Ave.
- Construct new pedestrian bridge near Chicago Ave. over I-494
- Construct noise and retaining walls
- Relocate or adjust multiple public and private utilities
- Connect walking path and concrete bike path along Portland Ave.
- Replace lighting, signage, and dynamic message boards
- Improve ramps, sidewalks, and signals at multiple intersections