I-494 road, ramp closures in south metro begin Feb. 19 for bridge demolition
I-494 Nicollet Avenue ramps to permanently close Feb. 19; weekend closure on I-494 set for Feb. 20-23
ROSEVILLE, Minn. – Motorists traveling on and near Interstate 494 in Bloomington and Richfield will encounter road and ramp closures beginning Feb. 19 as crews begin replacing two I-494 bridges and removing ramps to improve freeway safety and congestion, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Crews will permanently close the eastbound I-494 ramp to Nicollet Avenue and Nicollet Avenue ramp to westbound I-494 starting at 7 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, weather permitting. MnDOT is closing these remaining Nicollet ramps to address congestion and safety concerns due to nearby I-494 at Lyndale, Portland and 12th avenues being too close together.
“Traffic levels on I-494 today are quite a bit higher than they were when this stretch of freeway and those ramps were originally designed,” said Greg Asche, I-494 Design Build Project Manager. “These improvements will give drivers more room to merge safely and upgrade key I-494 bridges to better serve people walking, biking and driving.”
The Nicollet Avenue bridge over I-494 also will close Feb. 19 through September while crews build a new bridge that will accommodate future traffic levels and provide wider, accessible sidewalks. Motorists should use Lyndale Avenue or Portland Avenue to access or cross I-494.
10 p.m., Friday, Feb. 20 to 5 a.m., Monday, Feb. 23
In addition, I-494 will close in both directions between I-35W and Highway 77 from 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, through 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 23. The closure will allow crews to safely remove the Nicollet Avenue bridge and the pedestrian bridge at 12th Avenue.
Motorists will be detoured via I-35W, Highway 62, Highway 77 and I-494.
7 a.m., Monday, March 5 to September
Starting at 7 a.m. Thursday, March 5, the 12th Avenue bridge over I-494 between East 78th Street and American Boulevard will close through September. Motorists should use Lyndale Avenue or Portland Avenue to cross I-494.
10 p.m., Friday, March 6 to 5 a.m. Monday, March 9
Another full closure of I-494 between I-35W and Highway 77 is scheduled from 10 p.m. Friday, March 6, through 5 a.m. Monday, March 9, to remove the 12th Avenue bridge.
Motorists will be detoured via I-35W, Highway 62, Highway 77 and I-494.
All construction activities and traffic impacts are weather and schedule permitting and subject to change.
MnDOT urges motorists to always be attentive, drive with caution, and slow down in work zones where workers are present.
For more information about this project or to sign up for email updates visit the project website: mndot.gov/metro/projects/i494edina-richfield.
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