Minnesota Department of Transportation

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News releases

Nov. 7, 2024

Latest news releases

I-90 Austin detour planned Nov. 15-18 for Fourth Street bridge demolition

AUSTIN, Minn. – Motorists on Interstate 90 in Austin will be detoured through the weekend of Nov. 15-17 while construction crews demolish the Fourth Street Northwest bridge and prepare to build a new bridge, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The closure of I-90 for the demolition will require detours beginning Friday, Nov. 15 and will be completed by Monday morning, Nov. 18. Initially, westbound ramps at Fourth Street Northwest and the bridge crossing will close during the daytime hours on Friday while crews remove traffic signals and then reopen ramps about 7 p.m., Friday for the bridge demolition.

The detours during demolition will be:

  • Eastbound I-90 traffic will exit at Oakland Avenue/ Highway 105 (Exit 175) on the west side of Austin. Traffic will take Oakland Avenue/Highway 105 east into Austin, continue on Highway 105 south to Mower County Road 28 east to Highway 218 north and return to I-90 on the east side of Austin.
  • Westbound I-90 traffic will go up and down the off- and on-ramps (Exit 178A) on the north side of the Fourth Street interchange.

After demolition
Traffic will resume on I-90 once demolition is completed and cleaned up on Nov. 18.

  • Westbound I-90 ramps at Fourth Street Northwest will then close and remain closed until the Fourth Street bridge construction is completed in fall 2025. Bridge construction will begin this winter.
    • The detour for westbound traffic is the 14th Street Northwest/Highway 218 north exit (Exit 177).
  • Eastbound I-90 ramps are closed but will open later in December once the eastbound I-90 Cedar River bridge reopens.
    • The detour for eastbound traffic is to use the Highway 105/Oakland Avenue exit (Exit 175) to reach destinations south of I-90 or the 14th Street Northwest/Highway 218 north exit (Exit 177) for destinations north of I-90.

Here is a rundown of the construction work at the six sites from 2024-2026:

  • Oakland Avenue West (Highway 105), replace in 2024. Bridge opened to traffic on Oct. 18.
  • I-90 over Sixth Street Northeast, rehabilitate in 2024-2025, detours started in May.
  • I-90 over Cedar River, replace in 2024-2025, traffic impacts started May 31.
  • Fourth Street Northwest, replace in 2024-2025, detours started in May.
  • 14th Street Northwest (Highway 218 north), replace in 2026.
  • 21st Street Northeast (Highway 218 south), replace in 2026.

 

To learn more about the project, visit the MnDOT project website where you can also sign up to receive email and text message updates.

Safety in work zones

Motorists should always be prepared to encounter traffic changes when approaching work zones including lane closures, lane shifts, uneven road surfaces, slow-moving heavy equipment and slow or stopped traffic. To keep everyone safe, drivers must: 

  • Obey posted speed limits. The fine for speeding in a work zone is $300.
  • Drive undistracted. Avoid using cell phones, mobile devices, adjusting the radio – even eating –while in work zones.
  • Move over. Give workers room to safely complete their work.
  • Know before you go. Get real-time information about traffic and road conditions at www.511mn.org or get the free 511mn smartphone app at Google Play or the App Store.
  • Be patient. Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
  • Do the zipper merge.
  • Avoid making unnecessary lane changes.
  • Never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones.

Stay connected, informed

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