Minnesota Department of Transportation

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March 30, 2026

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Weekend I-90 detours planned for bridge demolitions in Austin, April 17-20, 24-27

AUSTIN, Minn. – Interstate 90 motorists will have two weekend-long detours in April while construction crews demolish Highway 218 bridges in Austin, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Crews will demolish the bridges on these dates:

  • 8 p.m. Friday, April 17 to 6 a.m. Monday, April 20, Highway 218 south (21st Street NE) near Austin Municipal Airport
  • 8 p.m. Friday, April 24 to 6 a.m. Monday, April 27, Highway 218 north (14th Street NW) near Riverland Community College

During the demolition, traffic will use these detours:

  • Highway 218 south bridge (April 17-20):
    • I-90 through traffic in each direction will travel up and down the ramps to continue.
    • I-90 westbound traffic wanting to reach Highway 218 south will use Exit 181 at 28th Street Northeast, travel south on Mower County Road 58, turn right (west) on Mower County Road 3 (16th Avenue Southeast) to Highway 218.
    • I-90 eastbound traffic wanting to reach 21st Street Northeast north of I-90 to destinations like the Hormel Nature Center, will travel east to Exit 181 (28th St. NE) cross I-90 and take the westbound on-ramp to the westbound off-ramp (Exit 180B) to 21st Street NE.
    • Highway 218 south traffic that wants to travel west on I-90 will turn east on Mower County Road 3 (16th Avenue Southeast) to Mower County Road 58 north to the 28th Street Northeast bridge, cross I-90 on the bridge and enter the highway on the ramp. Motorists on Highway 218 wanting to travel east on I-90 can use the 21st Street Northeast bridge to enter I-90.
    • 21st Street Northeast traffic may use the ramp to enter westbound I-90. Motorists who want to continue south onto Highway 218 south will enter westbound I-90 and exit at Exit 179 at 11th Drive Northeast, cross over the highway and return to eastbound I-90, exiting at Exit 180B at Highway 218 south.
  • Highway 218 north bridge, northbound (April 24-27):
    • I-90 through traffic in each direction will travel up and down the ramps to continue. Vehicles will be allowed to right turns at the exit.
    • I-90 westbound traffic wanting to reach 14th Street Northwest near Riverland Community College will exit I-90 at Exit 175 (Highway 105/West Oakland Avenue), turn left (east) on Highway 105/West Oakland Avenue to 14th Street Northwest.
    • I-90 eastbound traffic wanting to reach Highway 218 north will exit at 178A (4th Street Northwest/Mower County Road 45), turn left (north) on County Road 45, turn left (west) on Mower County Road 27 (18th Avenue Northwest) to Highway 218.
    • Highway 218 traffic wanting to reach I-90 westbound will be allowed to make a right turn to enter via the on-ramp. Traffic will not be able to cross the bridge during the demolition work. Motorists wanting to reach I-90 eastbound or 14th Street Northwest will travel east on Mower County Road 27 (18th Avenue Northwest) to 4th Street Northwest/Mower County Road 45 south to West Oakland Avenue west. Motorists at 14th Street Northwest can reach the north side of I-90 by using West Oakland Avenue west (Highway 105) to I-90 west, travel to Exit 178A at 4th Street Northwest. 

Highway 218 north traffic changes

On April 22 MnDOT will switch traffic to both directions in single lanes in the southbound Highway 218 north of the interchange bridge and begin preparations for the demolition. Afterward, traffic will be allowed to cross the bridge in single lanes in each direction on the southbound bridge until late June when the second bridge will be demolished and crews begin construction on the city of Austin sanitary sewer crossing between I-90 and 18th Ave., and construction of roundabouts on the north and south sides of the I-90/218 north interchange.

Detours after demolition

MnDOT will announce additional detours for when the bridges and ramps remain closed after demolition. More information will be shared next week to help motorists plan ahead.
Both bridges are expected to reopen in fall 2026.

The westbound Exit 178A (4th St. NW) ramp will reopen later this spring once the westbound I‑90 Cedar River bridge work is complete.

For more information or to sign up for project updates, visit the project website.

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 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.

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